VARGAS AND POC IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BOWLING DISPUTE

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Ricky Vargas swore in the new set of officers of Philippine Bowling Federation (PBF) a month ago. The induction of PBF officers by no less than the POC president is a strong POC statement of support and recognition for the group that displaced Philippine Bowling Congress (PBC)/

But the support and recognition given by POC to PBF really puts Vargas and POC in a tight situation. The question as to why PBC was suddenly replaced by PBF remains unanswered to this day. World Bowling, which is the International Federation (IF) for bowling has not categorically come up with an official statement as to why PBC lost its membership and was replaced by PBF in World Bowling.

If Vargas and his team only took the time to their homework, they would have discovered something highly irregular with the sudden displacement of PBC in World Bowling.

The screenshots of the websites of Asian Bowling Federation (ABF) and World Bowling taken in August and September 2016 respectively will somehow reveal what took place. In the screenshot of the ABF website in August 2016, Steve Hontiveros was listed as president while Alex Lim as secretary-general of PBC. Both Hontiveros and Lim were not officers of PBC during the said date according to PBC President Gerry Mallilin. Clearly, there were misrepresentations with regards to Hontiveros and Lim as the ABF screenshot reveals. But why the need to misrepresent Hontiveros and Lim in ABF? Present PBC officers claim that the misrepresentations were necessary to make the change of name of PBC to PBF in World Bowling easy and more convenient. With the president and secretary-general as signatories, a simple letter informing World Bowling of the change of name of PBC to PBF will suffice to make PBF the new NSA for bowling.

What makes this claim of PBC officers hold water can be seen in the screenshot of the website of World Bowling in September 2016. In the screenshot, what is particularly interesting are the details that are written for PBF. The details like office address, telephone and fax numbers are those listed in the ABF screenshot for PBC.  The details of PBC in the ABF screenshot match exactly those details of PBF in the World Bowling screenshot. The screenshots of the two bowling websites clearly show that there was merely a change of name that took place.

But what seals the deal for the allegations of PBC officers against PBF came from Steve Hontiveros himself. In September 10, 2016, Hontiveros reportedly called up PBC Prsesident Gerry Mallilin to instruct Mallilin to change the name of PBC to PBF. "Mabaho na ang pangalan ng PBC. Gawin nating federation." Mallilin quoted Hontiveros as saying.

If Vargas and POC think the the dispute in bowling is over, they are in for a surprise. PBC must now know how to salvage its very existence and show Vargas and POC that justice will reign, no matter how difficult, this time around

UNMASKING POC PRESIDENT RICKY VARGAS

courtesy of spin.ph

To this day, Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Ricky Vargas has yet to suspend Philippine Katatedo Fedration (PKF) from POC. Despite the withdrawal of membership of PKF from World Karatedo Fedration (WKF), Vargas and the entire POC refuse to suspend PKF.

The whole issue on karatedo truly reveals the kind of sports leader Vargas is. When the seven karatekas came out in public to reveal the anomalies within PKF, Vargas and POC were so unconcerned and did not even bother to investigate what the athletes were complaining about. It was the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) that took the initiative to do an investigation. PSC was the one that took on the responsibility that should, in the first place, belongs to Vargas and POC.

But more than that, what is really disturbing about the karatedo episode is the inability of Vargas and POC to take immediate and proper action. Clearly, PKF and its officials committed serious offenses which WKF verified and found to be true. But despite this, Vargas and POC appear unmoved and seem to protect PKF under Romasanta. This early in his leadership, Vargas has failed to gather enough courage and good judgment. So to expect Vargas and POC to enforce good governance in sports is nothing more than wishful thinking.

URGENT CALL TO POC : REINSTATE PDBF NOW !

In 2011, then Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Jose Cojuangco Jr. removed Philippine Dragon Boat Federation (PDBF) as a National Sports Association (NSA) because of an alleged "directive" coming from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The directive, according to Cojuangco, instructs the POC to place PDBF under International Canoe Federation (ICF) and Philippine Canoe Kayak Federation (PCKF) to continue being a part of an NSA.

Now after seven years, the IOC categoricall denies issuing such a directive. Below is part of the letter of IOC regarding the matter :

The IOC does not have a directive as we only recognise particular sport disciplines with respect to the Olympic Programme.

-  The Media Relations Team, IOC , March 29, 2018

The letter likewise states that dragon boat is not part of the Olympic program thus, IOC cannot be involved in the sport in any way.

It is now incumbent on POC President Ricky Vargas and his administration to give back to PDBF the recognition it truly and richly deserves. PDBF and its athletes have been denied of their opportunity to represent  and bring pride and honor to the country for the past seven years despite their world - class achievements. It is only right that the new POC immediately serves justice to PDBF and its world champion teams. PDBF deserves nothing less than a reinstatement as an NSA by Vargas and company.

PVF AND ITS CHANCES IN FIVB CONGRESS IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

While it is true that the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) board assured Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. (LVPI) President Joey Romasanta that PVF will be expelled at the next FIVB Congress in Dominican Republic, the current status of Romasanta and POC President Peping Cojuangco as top sports leader in the country stand on shaky ground that the chances of Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) regaining its FIVB membership has increased tremendously.

The affidavits of the six karate jins are compelling enough to question the kind of leadership that Romasanta offers. While he can claim that he is not directly involved in the anomalies exposed by the athletes, command responsibility dictates that he must be held accountable. After all, he is the president of Philippine Karatedo Federation (PKF). It is not far-fetched that people will conclude that Romasanta practices the same inept and corrupt leadership in LVPI as he too is the president of the volleyball federation recognized by POC. FIVB national federation presidents will most likely conclude that what is happening in PKF happens in LVPI as well. Thus, votes for LVPI acceptance as a full member of FIVB will likely be affected come FIVB Congress.

POC President Peping Cojuangco, on the other hand, has to contend with a court decision that effectively declares his last victory at the last POC election as null and void. What will make LVPI's problem worse is when Peping actively calls for IOC suspension because of government intervention should the court force POC to hold elections. LVPI's main argument for FIVB membership hangs on its POC recognition, nothing more, nothing less. Should POC be suspended, LVPI's main argument for inclusion to FIVB is effectively destroyed.

So whether the merger between PVF, PSL and PVF materializes or not, PVF still stands to win its campaign in FIVB. Its chances to regain its FIVB recognition certainly increases significantly because of what is happening to Peping and Romasanta. PVF must now exploit current events to show FIVB and the world that it is right in fighting for its dear life and the sport that it loves.

PDBF MUST BE REINSTATED AS AN NSA

In 2011, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) under Richie Garcia issued a board resolution that put dragon boat under canoeing and PCKF. The board resolution is shown below.

 What is very interesting about the PSC resolution is that the placement of dragon boat under canoeing and PCKF was based on the recommendation of Philippine Olympic Committee (POC. Clearly, this is a violation of sports autonomy as guaranteed by the IOC Constitution. It is interesting too that the resolution does not mention about an "IOC directive" that POC President Cojuangco cited as the reason for the placement of PDBF under PCKF. PSC could not mention the "IOC directive" in the resolution  because no such directive was ever issued by IOC. Instead, PSC used the word "recommendation".

But there are two points about the resolution that defy logic. One, PDBF was already setting world records and winning world championships one after the other. Why then did POC and PSC make an effort to place PDBF under a non-performing national federation such as PCKF? Up until 2011, PCKF has not won a single medal nor trophy in international competitions. So why place a well-performing PDBF under an inutile PCKF?

Two, the US Dragon Boat Federation is not under canoeing nor ICF. It is under IDBF just like PDBF. Thus, it is not true that dragon boat must be under canoeing and ICF to be considered a national federation for dragon boat.

Since it was PSC that finalized the displacement of PDBF, it is only proper that the new PSC administration fix the injustice done to PDBF by its predecessor. PDBF has given the country much honor and pride in top international tournaments like the World Cup and World Championships. It is only right that it is reinstated as a national federation.

MEQUI-LOS PROTESTA SI DR. MEQUI

Matapos mawala sa mata ng publiko ng higit dalawang dekada, nagbabalik si Dr. Apericio “Perry” Mequi para pangunahan ang tawag sa pagbibitiw sa puwesto ni Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Peping Cojuangco. Isa si Dr. Mequi sa mga utak sa pagtitipon na magaganap sa ika-21 ng Setyembre 2017. Ang pagtitipon ay binansagang “ Peace and Change in Philippine Sports”.

Sa isang panayam ng inyong lingkod, inilahad ni Dr. Mequi ang iba’t-ibang layunin ng pagtitipon na inaasahang dadaluhan ng mga atleta, coaches, sports officials at fans.

Narito ang kanyang mga pahayag.

1.     Bakit mo naisipang magsagawa ng rally o pagtitipon laban kay POC President Peping Cojuangco?

The reasons for the rally goes back to even last year when we campaigned for POC to hold an open, free and democratic election because we believed that Peping after 12 years of unproductive and disastrous performance as evidenced by continuous deterioration in performance plus bad governance as proven by unliquidated public funds, should resign and provides for change in leadership. So, the call for Peping's resignation is not a new campaign.

2.     Anu-ano ang layunin ng rally ?

Ang layunin ng rally is to convince the POC General Assembly to declare a vote of confidence against Peping. It's only the POC GA that can oust Peping. No other entity can do this. Kaya, para sa POC GA ang aming mensahe for Peace and Change in Philippine Sports.

3.     Ano ang masasabi mo sa sinabi ni Cojuangco na nangugulo ka lang at bayaran?

Sa isyu ng bayaran. I am personally an example of a government servant who didn't use my position to enrich myself. During my brief stint at PSC, I was signing checks worth P7m to P15m per week. But barely a week after assuming the chairmanship, I recommended it's abolition because I saw that it's organizational and staffing pattern were deficient. It had no nationwide offices and the salary scales could not attract good professionals. I wanted out of the PSC. In contrast, Peping wants to hold on. I have no unliquidated funds after working in government for over 30 years.

4.     Ano ang malaking pagkakamali o pagkukulang ni Cojuanco bilang POC president?

Ang pagkukulang ni Peping is that HE HAS NO ARTICULATED VISION, MISSION AND PLAN FOR PHILIPPINE SPORTS. He keeps harping on sports NUTRITION for athletes. Nutrition is like the gasoline that you load up in a rocket ship or a car. Kahit na it's the best fuel, if you have no idea where you want the rocket to land or where to take the car, then it's useless. And most of all, Peping NEVER PRESENTED ANY PLAN BECAUSE HE HAS NO ARTICULATED GOALS OR OBJECTIVES TO PURSUE. "Without a plan, a goal is just a wish." (Antoine de Epuery). Peping has no vision, goal, objective or plan for Philippine Sports. So, all he had been doing for some 13 years as POC President is wishing.

5.     Kung mapapatalsik si Cojuangco, sino ang nakikita mong puedeng pumalit?

Anyone among the NSA Presidents who: 1. Is a man of independent means, may sariling yaman or may strong corporate backer, so that he can perform his role as volunteer, receiving no salary, for the services he renders to promote his sport. 3. Has a good background in business management. 4. Formers athlete who had competitive experience. 5. Is known and respected by the IF members of his sport, and 6. Has a reputation of honesty, respectability, statesmanship and integrity in the sports community.

6.     Paano mapipigil ang patuloy na pagbagsak ng Philippine sports?

To arrest the downward trend of Philippine sports, we have to invest on the very basics instead of aspiring for excellence without INVESTING ON LONG TERM DEVELOPMENT. These long term development starts with SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION the foundation of grassroots sports. The PE and school sports program is a BIG JOKE! While the acceptable principle and practice of PE worldwide is DAILY ONE HOUR activity, DepEd policy is once or twice a week. This is FOOLISH! We have to begin organizing and nurturing a SPORTS CLUB SYSTEM in schools and communities. Lastly, invest on the training of professionals who will be man the national sports program. While other countries have colleges and universities of physical education and sports, we have none in the Philippines that's adequately staffed and with appropriate curricular offerings. We should posthaste establish a CHARTERED STATE COLLEGE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS SCIENCE.

7.     May pag-asa pa ba ang Philippine sports umangat?

YES, IN THE LONG TERM--NOT IN THE SHORT TERM. May nagsabi na ang Pinoy ay mahilig sa shortcut.  This is not possible in Philippine sports. In my mind, if we adopt the recommendations I cited above, we should see some improvements in 16 years.

  

PVF IS STILL THE FIVB MEMBER

courtesy of worldofvolley.com

"The FIVB Legal and Transfers Department notes that Article 2.2.7.2 in fine FIVB Constitution states that “in the event that a National Federation ceases to fulfill any of the conditions for affiliation, such National Federation shall, even if provisionally affiliated, lose all of its rights until such time as the conditions of affiliation are met”. Because the Philippines Volleyball Federation no longer meets the conditions to be affiliated to the FIVB, the FIVB Legal and Transfers Department can only conclude that the Philippines Volleyball Federation has provisionally lost all of its rights, except membership to the FIVB." 

- FIVB Working File World Congress 2016

What is significant in the FIVB statement above are two points :

1. PVF has not lost its membership to FIVB. Thus, LVPI cannot be admitted as a member.

2. PVF has the right to fulfill the requirements of FIVB for reinstatement.

The fight for PVF is indeed far from over.