By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
As expected, Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino was re-elected as president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), easily beating baseball chief Chito Loyzaga, 45-15, in the elections on Friday, Nov. 29, at the East Ocean Seafood Restaurant in Parañaque City.
Tolentino, also the cycling chief, got a fresh four-year term and declared to continue their programs for the national team that saw the country winning Olympic gold medals during his leadership over the last six years.
“The general assembly has spoken,” said Tolentino. “I think the performance was the basis. Hindi naman para samin to eh. Para sa bayan at sa mga atleta to.”
Tolentino was referring to the gold medals won during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics courtesy of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, and the 2024 Paris Games from gymnast Carlos Yulo.
All members of Tolentino’s ticket were also elected with basketball’s Al Panlilio as First Vice President, who gathered 53 votes; modern pentathlon’s Rep. Richard Gomez as Second VP (37); surfing’s Dr. George Canlas as Treasurer (54); volleyball’s Don Caringal as Auditor (47); and Board Members Len Escollante of canoe-kayak (45); Alvin Aguilar of wrestling (44), jiu-jitsu’s Ferdie Agustin (41), judo’s Ali Sulit (41), fencing’s Leah Gonzales (40).
Tolentino plans to further strengthen the programs for the athletes in another busy four years particularly in 2025 with competitions in the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games and the Southeast Asian Games.
He also aims to keep the country’s impressive showing in the Olympics for the next edition in the 2028 Los Angeles.
“We will continue what we’ve started, of course. Sustain our platforms for the athletes and athletes and athletes,” Tolentino said.
Among those who congratulated Tolentino for his massive win was longtime ally Rep. Mikee Romero (1Pacman Partylist)
“I congratulated Mayor Bambol for his sound win. His victory was also the victory for our national athletes.”
Out of 61 eligible voters only one failed to cast his/her vote.
Athletes commission members and Olympians EJ Obiena and Nesthy Petecio also voted and so was Mikee Cojuangco Jaworski, the country’s representative to the International Olympic Committee.
Voting for the first time, meanwhile, where officials from cricket, tackle football and curling.
The elections were supervised by the electoral commission headed by Atty. Teodoro Kalaw IV with members PSC Commissioner Bong Coo and Fr. Nap Encarnacion.
