Coscolluela to bring case vs Peping before IOC

Partylist Rep. Carissa Coscolluela intends to ask the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to compel the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to recognize her presidency in the Equestrian Association of the Philippines (EAP). The planned move came after Coscolluela was again shown the door by the POC officials when she tried to attend Wednesday's POC General Assembly at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club in Mandaluyong City. "We will write to the IOC to ask for advice and for them to prevail upon the POC to follow the rules that they are governed by," said Coscolluela, who is challenging Jose “Peping" Cojuangco, Jr., the current POC president, as EAP chief. Coscolluela came to the POC gathering armed with a communiqué from IOC National Olympic Committee Relations head Pere Miro in a bid to get access to the assembly as EAP president.

Miro’s letter quoted Rule 30 of the Olympic Charter which states that "members recognized by an NOC must exercise specific, real and on-going sports activity, be affiliated to an IF (International Federation) recognized by the IOC and be governed by and comply in all aspects with both the Olympic Charter and the rules of its IFs." Coscolluela, who was elected to the EAP post during a special election last April 23, has gained recognition from equestrian’s world body, the FEI, as contained in a July 14 letter from FEI CEO and secretary-general Alexander McLin. The POC, however, has refused to acknowledge Coscolluela’s leadership and continues to recognize Cojuangco as EAP brass. This was the second time that Coscolluela attempted in vain to represent the EAP in the POC function. "When I attended the last General Assembly, I was not accepted because they said the FEI recognition is not yet final. But the FEI has written Mr. Cojuangco and has reaffirmed my election three times, including two on appeals made by Cojuangco but now they say that I can't be accepted because I'm not recognized by the POC," she said. She, however, said she will continue to get the support of the other POC members. At the same time, she extended the hands of reconciliation to Cojuangco by asking him to join her administration as EAP's Chairman Emeritus. Cojuangco flatly rejected the position, claiming the FEI does not really support the lady solon as per communication from FEI president Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein. "She (Coscolluela) can't claim that the FEI favors her because I also have a letter from the FEI president which I can't divulge. She (Al Hussein) has a different opinion. And we will continue to work with the FEI so as to come out with an amicable solution," said Cojuangco. However, Cojuangco welcomed the planned move by Coscolluela to bring the matter before the IOC. "I will be very happy if she decides to bring the problem to the IOC and let them decide on the matter," Cojuangco said. - GMANews.TV