PEARL MANAGUELOD AND HER BRAVE POC JOURNEY

 

I have learned through the years that whoever sits as Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president, Philippine sports will still end up in its sordid and deplorable state. Past POC presidents have always been associated with corruption cases. The same goes true with other POC elected officials. Thus, the coming election does not give me hope for any change to occur in POC.

But this year's POC election introduces a newcomer who dares to prove me wrong. Pearl Managuelod, the muay thai federation secretary-general, is running for the first time for an elected POC position. She is running for Board Director in the November 27 POC election.

In an exclusive interview, Managuelod answers the questions that many are afraid to ask candidates who seek POC elected posts.

1. Why did you decide to run for Board Director in the coming POC election?

Cong. Tolentino asked me to run under his ticket as a Board Director. When I asked him why me instead of the other seemingly more qualified NSA leaders, he said that he saw the success of our NSA under my leadership. Given my academic background, I believe I can contribute significantly to the development of sports in the country. 

2. What changes do you plan to introduce to POC once elected?

I have an athlete-centered philosophy so most of the programs and policies I want to introduce are geared for our athletes' holistic development, high performance training, safeguarding scholarship funds, education and career transition. It is all about empowerment and capacity-building.

3. Why did you decide to run under Tolentino's ticket?

He has a reliable team. They can play the game. They walk the talk. They seek to unify rather than focus on divisiveness. They share my athlete-centered philosophy.

4. Tolentuno voted not to file charges against PHISGOC. Do you agree with his vote?

I am for accountability and transparency. I did my own research and even went to the Department of Budget Management (DBM) to clarify things. I know that Cong. Bambol Tolentino had his reasons for his vote.

5. Several NSA's like PVF, PBC, PDBF and TATAP were disenfranchised illegally by Peping Cokuangco and remain disenfranchised during Tolentino's term. What do you propose to do with these disenfranchised NSA's?

POC should activate the Arbitration Committee where NSA's will be given the opportunity to air their valid complaints.

6. How will you convince the private sector to support Philippine sports?

Sports must be used as a tool for nation-building. Sports right now is being used for personal and political gain which shouldn't be the case. Once the private sector sees that sports is being used the right way, sponsorship will come.

7. Is sports still relevant at this time of the pandemic?

Sports will always be relevant. There are various levels of engagement in sports. We tend to forget the recreational part of sports. Physical activity is a fundamental right and must be promoted at all levels.

8. What do you ultimately want to happen in Philippine sports?

I would like to take little steps to correct past mistakes made in Philippine sports. I want to see more women in management and leadership roles. I want the youth to be empowered and active in sports. I want Philippine sports to become a source of unity and empowerment.

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PVF REACHES OUT TO UP PRESIDENT DANNY CONCEPCION

 

In a bid to stop Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. (LVPI) from participating in the November 27, 2020 POC election, PVF President Edgardo J. Cantada wrote to UP President Atty. Danilo Concepcion. Atty. Concepcion is a member of the powerful three-man POC Election Committee for the coming election. The PVF president cites three basic reasons why LVPI must not be allowed to cast its vote during the POC election. First, LVPI is not affiliated to FIVB and AVC. Second, PVF was never expelled from POC by the POC General Assembly. Third, the "expulsion" of PVF is still under litigation at a local court. The letter of PVF contains documents that prove the reasons cited.

Dear Atty. Concepcion,

Greetings from Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF). We hope you and your family are well upon receiving this letter.

We, at PVF, humbly request the POC Election Committee to disqualify Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. (LVPI) from participating in the coming POC election. We wish to prevent LVPI from casting its vote for the following reasons:

1. LVPI is not affiliated to its International Federation (IF). It was disaffiliated by the FIVB General Assembly from FIVB during the 36th FIVB World Congress in Cancun, Mexico. (See attachment). It is PVF that remains a member of FIVB from the Philippines.(See screenshot of the FIVB website). Affiliation to a corresponding IF is a requirement for POC membership 

2. PVF was never expelled by the POC General Assembly. Thus, PVF remains a valid member of POC. The idea that PVF "disappeared into thin air" is a lie that POC peddles to justify the membership of LVPI in POC. Please be informed that the POC 1st and 2nd Vice-Presidents of POC are top officials of LVPI. Two other POC officials are also LVPI officials. POC is likewise a member of LVPI, which is a complete travesty. (See Word attachment).

3. The legality of PVF's expulsion from POC is still under litigation at the Pasig RTC.

We hope that the POC Election Committee, under your initiative, will ensure the integrity and credibility of the coming POC election. We hope that you will  champion truth and justice to effectively serve the best interest of the sports community and nation in general.

Thank you.

Yours truly,

Edgardo J. Cantada 

PVF President

Will these suffice for the UP president to decide in favor of PVF? PVF and a lot of volleyball fans hope so.