PKF leadership dispute turn allies Cojuangco, Go to enemies

Jose "Peping" Cojuangco and controversial sports official Go Teng Kok were once allies in Philippine sports but are now at odds after the latter was declared "persona non grata" by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC). The POC is headed by Cojuangco, a former Tarlac congressman. The POC executive board proclaimed the long-time Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president "persona non grata" after Go filed a case against the POC in relation to the leadership dispute in the Philippine Karatedo Federation (PKF). Go said that the POC’s declaration is a "childish act by people who seek only personal gratification and not the upliftment of sports in the country." Go also said that he was not given due process in the PKF leadership issue, that is why he took his case to court. "They never gave me a chance to be heard and air my grievances that is why I was forced to go to courts," Go said. POC deputy secretary general Mark Joseph said that Go violated Article 3 Section M of the POC constitution stating that the national Olympic body is the final arbiter in intra-NSA disputes. "It’s our duty to protect the Olympic movement and having a court case filed against the POC is unethical," said Joseph. The POC recently recognized newly-elected PKF president Enrico Vasquez replacing POC spokesperson Jose Romasanta, who disputed the post with Go. Ironically, Go had the solid backing of Cojuangco when the former won the POC presidency in the 2008 elections against then-shooting president Arturo Macapagal. Go was even named as Cojuangco’s special assistant and the POC sports and rules committee chairman during the country’s preparations for the 2009 Laos SEA Games. But the two had a falling out after a disputed PKF elections that saw Go being replaced by Romasanta as the karatedo chief. Go is the fourth person to be declared "persona non grata" by the POC following Pocholo Veguillas (which was later dropped), Carissa Coscolluela and former Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Harry Angping. – Reuben Terrado, JVP, GMA News