2016 and 2018 Philippine Olympic Committee elections

Last updated

2016 and 2018 Philippine Olympic Committee elections
DateNovember 25, 2016 (2016-11-25) and February 23, 2018 (2018-02-23)
Venue Wack Wack Golf and Country Club
Location Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines
TypeElections
CauseExpiry of then-President Jose Cojuangco's third term
(2016 elections)
Pasig Regional Trial Court decision partially declaring the results of the 2016 elections null and void
(2018 elections)
Organised byCommission on Elections of the Philippine Olympic Committee led by Francisco Elizalde
OutcomeThen-President Jose Cojuangco's secures a fourth term.
(2016 elections)
Ricky Vargas elected President; Abraham Tolentino elected chairman
(2018 elections)

In November 2016, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) held an election which saw Jose "Peping" Cojuangco win a fourth term as president after Victorico "Ricky" Vargas was disqualified for not being an "active member" of the committee. Tolentino, a candidate for the chairman position was also disqualified on the same grounds.

Contents

The camp of Vargas said that being an active member does not equate to physical attendance which the POC led by then incumbent President Cojuangco insists. This led to Vargas to seek a temporary restraining order to stop the 2016 elections and rule on the POC's commission on election's authority to define the eligibility criteria of being an active member.

The court denied postponing the 2016 elections but it ruled in December 2017 that the commission on elections of the POC cannot qualify or restrict the criteria of being an active member, ruled that the results of the 2016 elections for the post of President and Chairman null and void, and ordered the POC to hold elections on February 23, 2018 with Vargas and Tolentino as candidates.

Cojuangco's camp has raised concerns on infringement on the POC's autonomy by the government and possible suspension of the POC by the International Olympic Committee leading to the 2018 elections. An extraordinary general assembly was held on February 19, 2018 to decide whether the elections should take place and discuss the active member eligibility. They affirmed the definition of the eligibility criteria that led to Vargas and Tolentino's disqualification in 2016 but the two were allowed to participate in the 2018 elections.

Vargas and Tolentino were then elected as president as Chairman respectively.

2016 elections

Philippine Olympic Committee
general election, 2016
 2008November 25, 2016 2018  
 
Peping Cojuangco.jpg
Candidate Jose Cojuangco Jr.
Popular vote
26 / 37
Percentage70.3%

President before election

Jose Cojuangco Jr.

Elected President

Jose Cojuangco Jr.

Background

Candidacy of Vargas and Tolentino

Ricky Vargas made an attempt to run for President of the Philippine Olympic Committee in 2016 challenging incumbent, Peping Cojuangco. His camp includes Abraham Tolentino of Cycling running for chairman, Albee Benitez (Badminton) for First Vice President, Lucas Managuelod (Muay Thai) for Second Vice President, Sonny Barrios (Basketball) for Treasurer, and Ting Ledesma (Table Tennis) for Auditor. [1]

Mariano Araneta of the Philippine Football Federation also planned to run for President of the POC but withdrew to support Vargas' candidacy. [2]

Disqualification of Vargas and Tolentino

The candidacy of Vargas and Tolentino were not accepted by the POC's commission on elections which is headed by Francisco Elizalde. Elizalde reasoned that the two did not satisfy article 7 section 11 of the POC charter which stated that a candidate must have attended 50 percent plus one of the total number of General Assemblies the past two years. [3]

Ricky Vargas criticized his disqualification through his spokesperson Chito Salud. The Vargas camp alleged that the disqualification decision was made "without any objection or opposition from a known third party", "hastily rendered" without a basic requisite hearing held and there was no written resolution issued in regards to the justification to disqualify him. [4]

According to Elizalde, Vargas is an inactive member for attending just one general assembly meeting within the past two years. [3] Vargas insist that being an active member is "more than attendance" and that "Physical presence at the general assembly does not equate to active participation". Then incumbent president, Peping Cojuangco insists there is nothing political about the rules on elections set by the POC in 2008 are just being followed. [4] Vargas then filed a petition for temporary restraining order (TRO) before the Pasig Regional Trial Court to stop the scheduled November 25 elections to allow for dialogue. [5]

The Senate's committee on sports held a hearing on November 22 regarding alleged unliquidated funds given to the sports body by the government and the contentious disqualification of Vargas. The POC made an unsuccessful request to have the hearing cancelled. Its lawyers attended the oral hearings since the POC stated that President Peping Cojuangco had to attend to a hearing regarding the TRO petition filed by Vargas' camp. However Cojuangco did not attend the TRO hearing. The Philippine Sports Committee also attempted to hold a mediation meeting but Cojuangco or his allies did not attend to the meeting. [6]

The Pasig RTC denied Vargas' camp to have the elections stopped but hearings regarding the "active member" criteria which led to Vargas' disqualification was scheduled to take place in December 2016. [5]

Disqualification of Tom Carrasco

Tom Carrasco, the then-incumbent chairman vied for a reelection although he was later disqualified due to not being an incumbent member of a president of a member NSA at that time anymore. He was previously president of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines. [7] [8]

Elections and results

The elections was held at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong on November 25, 2016 during the POC's general assembly. 37 voting members were present with six members including disqualified Ricky Vargas absent from the meeting. Incumbent President Jose Cojuangco Jr., and an aspiring auditor, Jonne Go ran unopposed. [9]

There were no candidates for the position of chairman due to previous incumbent chairman, Tom Carrasco ruled ineligible for reelection and the rejection of the candidacy of Abraham Tolentino. [10]

Candidate/sContested
Position
Votes forIncumbent before elections
NameNSANameNSA
Jose Cojuangco Jr. Equestrian President
26 / 37
Jose Cojuangco Jr. Equestrian
NoneChairmanTom Carrasco Triathlon
Joey Romasanta Karate First Vice President
23 / 37
Joey Romasanta Karate
Albee Benitez Badminton
11 / 37
Jeff TamayoSoft TennisSecond Vice President
25 / 37
Jeff TamayoSoft Tennis
Lucas ManaguelodMuay Thai
11 / 37
Julian Camacho Wushu Treasurer
24 / 37
Julian Camacho Wushu
Sonny Barrios Basketball
12 / 37
Jonne Go Canoe and Kayak Auditor
31 / 37
Prospero Pichay Chess
Jesus Clint Aranas Archery Board Member
30 / 37
Cynthia Carrion Gymnastics
Cynthia Carrion Gymnastics
30 / 37
David Carter Judo
Robert Mananquil Cue sports
28 / 37
Ernesto Echauz Sailing
Prospero Pichay Chess
27 / 37
Jonne Go Canoe and Kayak

2018 elections

Philippine Olympic Committee
general election, 2018
  2016 February 23, 20182020 
 
Peping Cojuangco.jpg
Ricky Vargas (crop).jpg
Candidate Jose Cojuangco Jr. Victorico Vargas
Running mateTing Ledesma Abraham Tolentino
Popular vote
15 / 40
24 / 40
Percentage37.5%60%

President before election

Jose Cojuangco Jr.

Elected President

Victorico Vargas

Background

Pasig RTC ruling

Branch 155 of the Regional Trial Court of Pasig ruled that the results of the 2016 elections for the post of President and Chairman of the Philippine Olympic Committee as null and void. The decision penned on December 1, 2017 by Judge Maria Gracia A. Cadiz-Casaclang stated that the "POC Election Committee acted beyond the scope of its power and authority granted to it by the POC Executive Board, and had violated its own POC Election rule" when the election body motu proprio disqualified Ricky Vargas and Abraham Tolentino as candidates of the 2016 elections. It added that the election committee cannot restrict or qualify the criteria of being an "active member" of the POC as equating to "physical presence in the meetings of the General Assembly". The court ordered the POC to hold elections for the post of President and Chairman with Vargas and Tolentino as candidates. The Vargas camp hailed the decision. [11]

POC Court of Appeals TRO petition

The POC filed a temporary restraining order against the Pasig court's ruling but the Court of Appeals ruled against giving a TRO. [12] During the January 31, 2018 meeting of the General Assembly, Ricky Vargas' camp was unsuccessful in starting a discussion regarding the February elections ordered by the Pasig court after Peping Cojuangco adjourned the meeting. POC spokesperson Prospero Pichay stated that such discussion is premature since reasoning that sports body has yet to receive the Court of Appeals ruling denying the POC a TRO. Ed Picson executive director of Vargas' NSA, Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines disputes the claim. Vargas' camp has accused Cojuangco of delaying the February elections. [13]

February 2018 pre-election events

NSA heads including Weightlifting NSA President Monico Puentevella (second from right) and Mariano Araneta (far right) expressed Ricky Vargas candidacy for the 2018 POC elections in a press conference in Pasig. NSA support for Ricky Vargas.jpg
NSA heads including Weightlifting NSA President Monico Puentevella (second from right) and Mariano Araneta (far right) expressed Ricky Vargas candidacy for the 2018 POC elections in a press conference in Pasig.

The POC notified the International Olympic Committee (IOC) through a February 8 memorandum that it plans to hold elections on February 23, 2018. Pere Miro, IOC deputy director general, expressed in a February 9 letter that fact the POC's internal dispute was referred to an "ordinary court" as "unfortunate". He said that internal disputes in a National Olympic Committee, such as the POC, must have been resolved by its competent governing bodies including its General Assembly. Though he insists that the letter is not meant as an interference by the IOC of the judicial courts of the Philippine government. [14]

It also informed the international Olympic body that it plans to hold an Extraordinary General Assembly on February 19 where it plans to discuss Miro's letter, elections eligibility criteria, and other matters. [14] POC spokesperson, Prospery Pichay latter clarified on February 14 that the notice was a matter of "matter of compliance" to avoid the POC to be cited for contempt and the planned extraordinary meeting will discuss whether to hold the election or not noting that Miro's letter did not direct for the holding of an election. [15]

The POC through Pichay said that the national sports body is concerned of a possible suspension by the IOC and said that the IOC's letter of resolving internal disputes by the General Assembly rather than external courts is the POC's "guiding principle" for its extraordinary general assembly. [16]

Vargas' camp has claimed the support of 27 NSAs and said that they will fight for Vargas and Tolentino's eligibility in the general assembly. [17]

2018 February POC Extraordinary General Assembly

The extraordinary meeting held as scheduled at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club. Ramon Fernandez, Charles Maxey, Arnold Agustin and Celia Kiram of the Philippine Sports Commission sought entry but was denied. The POC through Pichay reasoned that the move was to protect the body's "integrity and autonomy". [18] The four PSC officials interpreted that they should have been part of the meeting saying that Miro's letter called for dialogue between "all interested parties". [19] Due to technical reasons, officials of the weightlifting and shooting national sports associations were also barred from attending the meeting. [20]

Pichay said that the General Assembly agreed to hold elections on February 23 and insists the move was not due to the Pasig court order. The assembly upheld the definition of the eligibility criteria of being an "active member" which led to the disqualification of Vargas and Tolentino in the 2016 elections. [19] Pichay said it is clear that being an active member in the POC means physical attendance and that refers to the person rather than their NSA. An election committee has been formed which was headed by Francisco Elizalde, [20] who led the commission on elections that disqualified Vargas in 2016. [21]

Vargas and Tolentino speculated that they will be disqualified from the February 2018 elections though they said they will attend the elections. [20] However they were allowed to run for the elections this time. The Elizalde-led commissions on election made the decision to allow the candidacy to two with the Pasig court order partially nullifying the 2016 elections in consideration. Elizalde maintained that he personally still consider the two as ineligible but has stated that he doesn't want to be cited contempt of court. [21]

Then incumbent President Peping Cojuangco expressed disappointment of the move. He said that to allow an election to adhere to a court order is tantamount to government intervention. Cojuangco said he will inform the IOC regarding the development. [22]

Elections and results

Elections took place at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong on February 23, 2018. The positions of President and Chairman was contested. Ricky Vargas was elected president after he won over incumbent Peping Cojuangco with 24 votes going to the former, and 15 voters for the latter. [23] One vote was an abstention. [24] Abraham Tolentino secured a 23–15 win over Ting Ledesma. [23]

Aside from the presidents of POC's member NSAs, athletes representatives track and field athlete Henry Dagmil and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, [25] as well the Philippine permanent representative to the IOC and Peping Cojuangco's daughter, Imee Cojuangco-Jaworski, was among those who voted in the polls. [24] There were a total of 43 voting members present but only 40 voted in the elections. Albee Benitez, head of the badminton NSA arrived late and was not able to vote. Due to technicalities, Shooting holdover president Richard Fernandez and weightlifting chief Monico Puentevella were barred from voting. [26]

According to journalist Al Mendoza, Joey Romasanta abstained from voting for a president but managed to get Pete Cayco (acting volleyball president), Jonne Go (canoe-kayak) and Jeff Tamayo (soft tennis) to vote for Vargas. [27]

Candidate/sContested
Position
Votes forIncumbent before elections
NameNSANameNSA
Jose Cojuangco Jr. Equestrian President
15 / 40
Jose Cojuangco Jr. Equestrian
Victorico Vargas Boxing
24 / 40
Ting Ledesma Table Tennis Chairman
15 / 40
Vacant
Abraham Tolentino Cycling
23 / 40

Aftermath

Winners of the 2018 POC elections being proclaimed. POC elections feb 2018 winners b.jpg
Winners of the 2018 POC elections being proclaimed.

Reactions

Following the conclusion of the 2018 elections, Vargas, who claims to be inexperienced in elections and politics, was elated and Cojuangco left the venue telling the media that he would be calling for a meeting. [23]

Peping Cojuangco then conceded defeat the following day saying that the "majority has spoken". [28] and said he wants to know what his future role in the POC would be. [29]

He also said that since the beginning he would like to be certain on "how far the courts can go" and expressed belief that the interpretation of the POC's bylaws and interpretation shouldn't be made by one person though he mentions he could have possibly allow the Supreme Court to get involved. Cojuangco also said that he was obliged to protect the POC's autonomy and protect it from religious, monetary and political pressures. [28] He also raised concerns on how the POC deals with a hypothetical scenario where a government court orders the replacement of a particular athlete in a Philippine delegation for an international competition in lieu of an athlete the court declares as undeserving. [29] Despite the end of his presidency, Cojuangco has vowed to remain an "active member" of the national olympic committee. [28]

POC Commission on Elections head, Francisco Elizalde revealed that he allowed Vargas and Tolentino to run in the 2018 elections after consulting with IOC officials in South Korea during the Winter Olympics and added that the IOC "was very much aware of the situation in the Philippines". [30] He said while the IOC regretted the situation, it allowed the POC to go ahead with the election and that the international body didn't object to the manner the elections took place. However he expressed pessimism that a "healing" will take place in Philippine sports noting "not friendly relations among a lot of people" in the POC. [31]

The petition filed by Cojuangco camp to disallow Vargas and Tolentino's candidacy for the February 2018 election was dismissed by the 10th Division of the Court of Appeals on July 10, 2018. It declared the petition as "moot and academic" since the petitioners decided to hold the election and recognize Vargas and Tolentino as winners of the said election. [32] [33]

Transition

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte administers the oath taking of Tolentino and Vargas as POC officials. March 5, 2018. Vargas Tolentino POC oathtaking 2.jpg
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte administers the oath taking of Tolentino and Vargas as POC officials. March 5, 2018.

Shortly after Vargas' election as POC President, a transition team consisting of Karen Tanchanco, football general secretary Edwin Gastanes and basketball legal counsel Edgardo Francisco was formed to "ensure a smooth transition of the POC’s files, records and properties". [24]

Vargas decided to retain Julian Camacho as chef de mission of the Philippine delegation to the 2018 Asian Games. Monsour del Rosario, Jonnee Go, and Joey Romasanta remains chef de mission of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, 2010 Youth Summer Olympics, and 2020 Summer Olympics respectively. [28] Camacho later resigned from his post. [34]

Businessman and sports patron Manny Pangilinan has provided ₱20 million as seed money to the POC. Cecilio Pedro of Hanabishi and Lamoiyan, and Alfrancis Chua sports head of San Miguel Corporation has also pledged support. [35] Vargas said that they will form a "NSA-type" committee to deal with the issue regarding the POC's alleged unliquidated funds provided by the Philippine Sports Commission for its NSAs. [35]

To cool-off hostilities Vargas has expressed writing off debts of the NSA as a possible option. [35]

Vargas and Tolentino were sworn in before Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in a simple ceremony at Malacañang Palace on 5 March 2018 [36] which marked the official start of their terms. [37]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philippine Olympic Committee</span> National Olympic Committee

The Philippine Olympic Committee Inc. (POC) is the National Olympic Committee of the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Basketball Association of the Philippines</span> Original FIBA-recognized Philippine basketball governing body

The Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) was the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) recognized national governing body for basketball in the Philippines. It was recognized by the FIBA in 1936 until 2007 when the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas or SBP was recognized as the new governing body of basketball in the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas</span> National basketball association of the Philippines

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas or the SBP is the national sport association for basketball in the Philippines, formed from the merging of the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) and Pilipinas Basketball (PB).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prospero Pichay Jr.</span> Filipino politician

Prospero Arreza Pichay Jr., also known as Butch Pichay, is a Filipino politician who served as Representative of Surigao del Sur's 1st district in the Philippine House of Representatives from 1998 to 2007 and from 2016 to 2022. He was the chairman of the House Committee on National Defense in the 13th Congress and deputy speaker in the 17th and 18th Congresses. He is a member of the formerly dominant political party Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino and was a senatorial aspirant in the 2007 Philippine Senate election but lost.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philip Juico</span> Filipino former sports executive and agriculture official

Philip Ella Juico is a Filipino sports official. He is the chairman emeritus of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA), the NSA for athletics in the Philippines. He was president of PATAFA from 2015 to 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peping Cojuangco</span> Filipino politician and sports administrator (born 1934)

José "Peping" Sumulong Cojuangco Jr. is a Filipino politician, sports administrator, and businessman. He served as the 9th president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) from 2004 to 2018. He previously served as the Representative of Tarlac's 1st district from 1961 to 1969 and 1987 to 1998. He began his political career in Paniqui, Tarlac where he served as councilor, vice mayor, and then mayor. A member of the Cojuangco political dynasty, President Corazon Cojuangco Aquino was his sister and President Benigno Aquino III was his nephew.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francisco Elizalde</span> Filipino sports official

Francisco José Elizalde is a Filipino sports official. He was a member of the International Olympic Committee representing the Philippines. He was elected by the committee in 1985, filling a post left vacant with the death of Jorge B. Vargas in 1980. He was a member of the Executive board in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas</span>

Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. was the national sport association for volleyball in the Philippines between 2015 and January 2021. It was recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) and provisionally recognized by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB). In 2021, the newly formed Philippine National Volleyball Federation became recognized by the POC, AVC and FIVB as the national sport association for volleyball in the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philippines at the 2017 SEA Games</span> Sporting event delegation

The Philippines competed at the 29th Southeast Asian Games which took place in Malaysia from 19 to 30 August 2017. The Philippines contingent was composed of 497 athletes, 163 sporting officials and 70 administrative and medical staff who competed in 37 out of the 38 sports. The Philippines finished the 29th SEA Games in 6th place with a medal haul of 23 Golds, 33 Silvers and 64 Bronze which is the country's worst finish in 18 years. The next edition of the Southeast Asian Games was hosted by the Philippines in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Romasanta</span>

Jose A. "Joey" Romasanta was the 11th president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), the country's highest Olympic body. He is also the president of Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas, Inc. (LVPI), the official NSA for Volleyball in the Philippines that is currently recognized by the POC, Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) and the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and the Philippine Karatedo Federation (PKF-NSA), the official NSA for karatedo.

The 2016 PSA Annual Awards was organized by the Philippine Sportswriters Association, the oldest media organization based in the Philippines formed by sportswriters from newspapers and sports news websites. PSA is currently helmed by Riera U. Mallari of the Manila Standard. The awards night was co-presented by MVP Sports Foundation, Milo, Philippine Racing Commission, San Miguel Corporation, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Accel, GlobalPort, Rain or Shine, Maynilad, Smart Communications, ICTSI, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, SM Prime Holdings, One Esplanade, National University and Senator Francis Escudero. The awards were given to the Philippine athletes and organizations in recognition of their achievements and victories in 2015, particularly the Filipino gold medalists in the 2015 Southeast Asian Games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philippine Hockey Association</span> Governing body of field hockey in the Philippines

The Philippine Hockey Association, also known as Larong Hockey sa Pilipinas, Inc. is the national governing body for field hockey in the Philippines. It is recognized by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) and the International Hockey Federation (IHF).

Victorico L. Chaves, also known as "Concoy" was a Filipino sportsman and politician. He served as an assistant majority floor leader and representative of the 2nd district of Misamis Oriental for three consecutive terms and also served as the president of the Philippine Amateur Volleyball Association from 1986 to 1995. He is also a co-author of a house bill seeking for the creation of the Philippine Sports Commission enacted into law in 1990.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 ASEAN Para Games</span> 10th ASEAN Para Games

The 2020 ASEAN Para Games, officially known as the 10th ASEAN Para Games, is a cancelled biannual multi-sport event for athletes with physical disabilities which was intended to be held after the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines. Participants were expected from 11 countries in Southeast Asia. The games, patterned after the Paralympics, was to include athletes with various disabilities.

Harry Angping is a Filipino politician who was a former member of the House of Representatives of the Philippines. He is also a former chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philippines at the 2018 Asian Games</span> Sporting event delegation

The Philippines participated at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Indonesia from 18 August to 2 September 2018. The country won 21 medals to finish 19th overall in the medal tally of the games; an improvement from 22nd place placement of the country in the previous 2014 edition. However this came short of the 15th place target set by officials who deemed the actual placement as acceptable. Two of the Philippines' gold medal came from golf, while the other two came from weightlifting and skateboarding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricky Vargas</span> Ex president of Philippine Olympic Committee

Victorico "Ricky" P. Vargas is a Filipino executive who served as the 10th President of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) from March 5, 2018, after winning over Jose Cojuangco Jr. in a court-ordered elections held on February 23, 2018, until his resignation on June 18, 2019.

The Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas is the national governing body for the sport of kickboxing in the Philippines.

In late 2021, the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA), led by President Philip Juico, initiated a dispute with Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena involving the liquidation of finances related to the salary of Obiena's coach Vitaliy Petrov.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manny Lopez (legislator)</span> Filipino politician

Manuel Luis "Manny" Tantoco Lopez is a Filipino politician and former sports executive who is the former Representative from Manila's 1st congressional district, which comprises the western side of Tondo, the largest of the city's sixteen districts.

References

  1. Reyes, Marc Anthony (October 24, 2016). "David and Goliath: Vargas versus Cojuangco". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  2. Tupas, Cedelf (October 21, 2016). "Araneta gives way to Vargas in POC elections". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  3. 1 2 Reyes, Marc Anthony (October 24, 2016). "Ricky Vargas disqualified from POC presidential race". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Disqualified Ricky Vargas blasts POC decision". ABS-CBN News. October 28, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  5. 1 2 "Court throws out petition for TRO in POC elections". November 24, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  6. Manlosa, Rommel (November 23, 2016). "POC skips mediation". Sun Star Cebu. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  7. "Now it's Philcycling's turn to seek disqualification of POC chairman Carrasco from election". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  8. Oredo, Angie (November 9, 2016). "Carrasco, diniskuwalipika rin ng POC Comelec" [Carrasco also disqualified by the POC Comelec]. Balita (in Filipino). Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  9. Terrado, Reuben (November 25, 2016). "POC president; party wins elections by landslide". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  10. Atencio, Peter (December 20, 2017). "Court nullifies POC polls for president, chairman". Manila Standard. Retrieved February 27, 2018.
  11. Ramos, Josef (December 20, 2017). "Court declares POC election 'null and void'". The Manila Times. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  12. "Appeals court denies POC request for TRO". Manila Bulletin. January 30, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  13. "Defiant Cojuangco refuses to discuss new POC election". The Manila Times. January 31, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  14. 1 2 "PH Olympic Committee to elect new execs". Philippine Canadian Inquirer. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Philippine News Agency. February 10, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  15. Terrado, Reuben (February 14, 2018). "POC reelection on Feb. 23 still not a sure thing, says spokesman Pichay". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  16. "General assembly to decide criteria for POC election". Manila Standard. February 18, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  17. Ramos, Gerry (February 21, 2018). "Vargas camp claims support of 27 NSAs in bid to end Cojuangco reign at POC". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  18. "P.O.C. cites autonomy". BusinessMirror. February 20, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  19. 1 2 Pedralvez, Bong (February 20, 2018). "Vargas, Tolentino status still hangs in new POC polls". Malaya Business Insights. Archived from the original on February 26, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  20. 1 2 3 Antonio, Joe (February 19, 2018). "Vargas likely to get the boot again". Journal Online. Archived from the original on February 26, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  21. 1 2 Terrado, Reuben (February 22, 2018). "Ricky Vargas gets green light to fight Peping Cojuangco for POC presidency". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  22. Ramos, Jerry (February 22, 2018). "Defiant Peping Cojuangco says he'll let IOC know about court's hand in re-election". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  23. 1 2 3 Gasgonia, Dennis (February 23, 2018). "Ricky Vargas elected new PH Olympic Committee president". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  24. 1 2 3 Pedralvez, Bong (February 26, 2018). "Vargas retaining Phl teams' CoM's". Malaya Business Insight. Archived from the original on February 26, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  25. Giongco, Nick (February 22, 2018). "Division of the house looms in POC". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  26. Ramos, Josef (February 24, 2018). "Vargas routs Cojuangco". Manila Times. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  27. Mendoza, Al (February 24, 2018). "Mendoza: Vargas owes it to Romasanta". Sun Star Cebu. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  28. 1 2 3 4 Atencio, Peter (February 24, 2018). "Cojuangco vows to be still an active POC member". Manila Standard. Archived from the original on February 26, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  29. 1 2 "It's not yet end of the world – Peping". Tempo. February 25, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  30. Giongco, Nick (February 24, 2018). "Polls have IOC blessing – Elizalde". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  31. Dioquino, Delfin (February 24, 2018). "Elizalde thinks Vargas' POC presidency will not heal PH sports". Rappler. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  32. Navarro, June (July 11, 2018). "Court: POC polls legal". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  33. "Court of Appeals denies Cojuangco's petition vs Vargas". BusinessMirror. July 10, 2018. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  34. Jacinto, Christian (February 26, 2018). "Cojuangco ally Camacho resigns as PH chef de mission for 2018 Asian Games". Sports Interactive Network Philippines . Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  35. 1 2 3 Gasgonia, Dennis (February 24, 2018). "POC chief Ricky Vargas gets San Miguel, private-sector pledges to help PH sports". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  36. Lopez, Virgil (March 5, 2018). "New POC execs Vargas, Tolentino take oath before Duterte". GMA News . Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  37. Pedralvez, Bong (March 2, 2018). "Oath-taking rites for POC leaders set". Malaya Business Insights. Archived from the original on March 8, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2018. The source said Vargas preferred a separate occasion for the oath-taking "before he officially assumes his duties as the new POC president."