As POC denies candidacy appeal, Vargas to go to court

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Olympic Committee’s Commission on Elections has denied an appeal by Ricky Vargas to overturn his disqualification and allow him to run for POC president, leaving Vargas to consider his legal options and go to court.

Vargas’ camp released a statement Monday, November 7 through Atty. Chito Salud, the former PBA commissioner who is the spokesperson of Vargas, decrying the committee’s decision that was initially expected to be released on Friday, November 4.

“The election committee failed and refused to see the merits of the arguments raised by Mr Vargas. 

It has chosen to stick to its myopic and unreasonable interpretation of ‘active member’,” the statement read.  

“The POC by-laws do not contain any definition of ‘active member'” nor any clear guidelines to determine active membership. By insisting on attendance and physical presence in the general assembly as the sole measure of a candidate’s activity, the election committee is arbitrarily placing a restriction on eligibility where the rules provide none.

“The election committee in effect arrogates unto itself the power to amend the POC by-laws without the approval of the member-NSAs.”

Vargas, who is also head of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines or ABAP, was disqualified by the committee to run for the POC presidency on Wednesday, October 26.

He was ruled ineligible due to his inability to meet an election requirement under Article 7 Section 11 of the POC constitution, which states a candidate should be “an active member of the POC general assembly for two consecutive years at the time of their election.”

Vargas’ camp then made an appeal, insisting the “active member” rule was vague. Salud reiterated that point as well in the statement.

“The narrow-minded and simplistic interpretation of the rules on eligibility is in many ways not surprising. It only validates our belief that the time for change has come,” he said.

“It is but unfortunate that change will once again have to be wrested from rather than guided and ushered in by enlightened leaders we in the sports community sorely miss. But it has to be done, and it will be done.”

“With the support of the very athletes whose welfare is the sole, paramount driving force of our efforts and with malice toward no one, Ricky Vargas shall carry on this relentless quest for change,” the statement added.

Vargas’ camp will begin looking at legal options.

“Mr Vargas will seek redress in the courts of law. He wants an objective and authoritative interpretation of this indistinct eligibility requirement.”

Since his disqualification, Vargas has initiated a social media campaign with the hashtags #LetRickyRun and #SavePHSports.

Our athletes can make magic happen. Let’s help make more magicians. ##SavePHSports #LetRickyRun pic.twitter.com/sGPtxmSWHz

— Ricky Vargas (@therickypvargas) November 7, 2016

PBA players Jimmy Alapag, Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams, as well as Gilas Pilipinas coach Chot Reyes have also tweeted out the hashtag.

Vargas was supposed to challenge incumbent POC president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco, who at 82 years old, is running for a fourth straight term. The elections are set for November 25. – Rappler.com