MANILA, Philippines – The recent issues involving the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) have reached the world Olympic body. 

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) have instructed the POC to convene in an extraordinary general assembly to address the current situation and take “appropriate decisions” on the vacancy of the POC presidential post. (2019 SEA Games: After POC shakeup, what now?)

“As the supreme decision-making body of the POC, the POC General Assembly is the competent body to decide on the next steps and to resolve any issues prevailing at the level of the Executive Board,” read the letter addressed to the POC. 

Both governing bodies also noted that they will be sending representatives to attend and observe the extraordinary general assembly, and the POC cannot take further “unilateral decision or action” without consulting the two Olympic bodies. 

The POC was also required to formally update the organizations of the resignations that occured within the board. 

Sanctions will be strictly implemented if the POC fails to abide by these instructions. 

Both organizations notified the POC that its recurrent internal and personal disputes have affected the national Olympic committee’s reputation in both the Philippines and internationally. 

“It has created a very unstable situation which has a negative impact on the Olympic Movement as a whole in the Philippines, and in particular on the preparations for the forthcoming international sports events, including the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.” 

The Philippines will also be hosting the 30th Southeast Asian Games on November 30 to December 11, 2019. 

The POC’s leadership struggles started when former POC president Ricky Vargas fired Peping Cojuangco and several other officials from their appointive positions, which resulted to a verbal altercation in the May 27 general assembly. (TIMELINE: Will the POC feud affect PH’s SEA Games hosting?)

The issues picked up when Vargas stepped down from his presidential post that led to 1st vice president Joey Romasanta succeeding him. 

However, POC chairman Bambol Tolentino called for a special election on July 5, arguing that Romasanta and 2nd vice president Antonio Tamayo are not qualifed for the presidential position. – Rappler.com