New POC execs Vargas, Tolentino take oath before Duterte

Newly elected Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Ricky Vargas took his oath before President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang on Monday, days after unseating longtime POC leader Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr.

Duterte also administered the oath of office to POC chairman Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, the brother of presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino.

Vargas, chief of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, bested Cojuangco in a 24-15 vote at the election held on February 23 at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City.

Cojuangco was POC president for 13 years. 

Cojuangco has been blamed for what senators described as dismal performance of Philippine delegates in international sporting events.

The POC is a non-government body recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the sole authority to send Filipino athletes in international sporting tournaments such as the Olympics and Asian Games. —NB, GMA News