POC sticks with Cojuangco, given four more years as president

MANILA, Philippines – Jose “Peping" Cojuangco Jr was re-elected Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president beating shooting head Arturo Macapagal, 21-19, in the POC elections Friday at the Alabang Golf and Country Club in Muntinlupa City. Cojuangco, the equestrian head, got a fresh four-year mandate to beat Macapagal, half-brother of President Arroyo in one of the tightest POC presidential election race in history. “I have to admit, my heart beat was a little bit faster than normal. We have a lot of work and challenges ahead of us. We ran to accept the challenge so all of us now we have to work harder than before," said Cojuangco, the 13th POC president. Cojuangco’s camp took eight out of the 10 seats in the elections. Weightlifting president and Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella, an independent candidate, took the chairman post over Robert Aventajado of taekwondo, 23-17. Manny Lopez of boxing won the first vice president post over Abraham “Bambol" Tolentino, 26-14, while Mario Tanchangco of sepak takraw captured the second vice president post over of Pablito Araneta of football, 21-19. Corinna Mojica of bodybuilding was elected auditor over Judith Hakim of dragon boat, 23-16. Mark Joseph of swimming (27), Leonora Fe Brawner of archery (23), Jeff Tamayo of soft tennis (22), and Dave Carter of judo (20) were elected board of directors. – GMANews.TV