BASKETBALL association head Al Panlilio and surfing federation chief Dr. Jose Raul Canlas stressed their commitment to run as first vice president and treasurer, respectively, under incumbent Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino’s ticket.
“I’m committed only to Philippine sports, to the Filipino athletes and to the leadership of Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who did a good job, and we are hoping to make it better or sustainable in the upcoming years,” said Panlilio, president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas who’s also the current POC first vice president.
Canlas, head of the United Philippine Surfing Association, said his commitment echoes that of Panlilio.
“I am for Philippines sports and for the Filipino athletes,” Canlas said. “[Tagaytay City] Mayor Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino has proven himself as an effective leader.”
Tolentino is seeking another four-year or Olympic cycle term as POC president in the elections set November 29 at the East Ocean Seafood Restaurant.
He formed what he called as the POC “Working Team” composed of Panlilio, second vice president Richard Gomez, Canlas, volleyball’s Donaldo “Don” Caringal as auditor and executive board members Alvin Aguilar of wrestling, Alexander “Ali” Sulit of judo, Ferdinand “Ferdie” Agustin of jiu-jitsu, Leonora Escollante of canoe-kayak and Leah Jalandoni Gonzales of fencing.
Baseball association president Chito Loyzaga filed his candidacy for president and included Panlilio also as his first vice president and Canlas as treasurer.
Panlilio and Canlas said they turned down offers to join Loyzaga but were surprised to see their names in the former Philippine Sports Commission commissioner’s ticket.
“I’m so surprised to see my name on their list because when he [Loyzaga] called me, he just told me that they would only leave the first vice president blank and same thing with Doc Canlas’s treasurer position,” Panlilio said.
“It is now confusing, we did not tell them to include our names in their ticket,” he added.
Canlas said that just like Panlilio he’s a “friend to everybody” but will stick only to his original commitment to run under Tolentino’s ticket as treasurer because of the effective leadership through the years.
“They considered me to run as their first vice-president, that was their first offer,” Canlas said. “I’m honored and thankful for considering me also as their treasurer. But I declined their offer and told them that I will only stick to my original commitment to run under the leadership of Mayor Tolentino.”
Atty. Teodoro Kalaw IV will again chair the POC commission on elections with Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba Rector and President Rev. Fr. Napoleon Encarnacion, O.P., and Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo as members.
The filing of the candidacies started last October 15 and ends today (October 30).
There are 59 voting members of the POC—34 Olympic national sports associations, 22 non-Olympic federations, two from the Athletes Commission and International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Mikaela María Antonia “Mikee” de los Reyes Cojuangco-Jaworski.
