RICKY VARGAS VS. PEPING COJUANGCO : FIGHT OF THE CENTURY

courtesy of philstar.com

The fight between ABAP President Ricky Vargas against POC President Peping Cojuangco is, without a doubt, the fight of the century for Philippine sports.

The incumbent POC president scored an early knockdown against Vargas via disqualification case. But with the help of his battery of lawyers, Vargas hopes to finally win over his 82-year old opponent.

The fight is significant because it will show whether Cojuangco can actually be defeated for the position of POC president. Should Vargas fail in his bid to run against Cojuangco, then the prospect of having Cojuangco as POC president for life becomes real more than ever. With Elizalde as the head of the POC Election Committee, it is pretty much useless to expect the committee to reverse its initial decision. With that, Vargas has no other recourse but to elevate his case to IOC and CAS.

At the IOC, Cojuangco still has the advantage. Elizalde, after all, is a member of the extremely powerful Ethics Committee of the IOC. The presence of Cojuangco's daughter, Mikee, who is the official Philippine representative to the IOC, makes it doubly hard for Vargas to gain headway.

The last and only forum where I believe Vargas has a fair chance of winning his case is at the Court of Arbitration (CAS). Elevating his disqualification case to CAS will mean Vargas will have to spend a substantial amount of money. But then again, Vargas has the necessary resources to be able to see his case to its end. At the CAS, Vargas can get the best possible lawyer to handle his case. Cojuangco, for his part, I believe will not gladly part with his money to get an expensive lawyer at CAS. This is where Vargas has an advantage.

I believe that Vargas will do everything and anything to win the POC presidency. His fight not only involves himself but all the groups and companies that he represents. The bigger picture is not about sports per se. But one man's attempt to perpetuate himself and how someone chooses to do the right thing and prevent the perpetuation from happening.