Steve Hontiveros yesterday advised Jose “Peping” Cojuangco to drop his legal battle and bid to reclaim the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) presidency from rival incumbent Victorico Vargas.
Hontiveros, a member of Cojuangco’s inner circle who served as POC secretary-general throughout his 14-year reign in the POC, said an expected grueling legal battle might do more harm on the 83-year old equestrian chief’s health.
Cojuangco lost the POC leadership to Vargas last February after a lengthy legal battle. Cojuangco then sought a restraining order from the Court of Appeals in an effort to derail the re-vote but was denied.
The POC had earlier disqualified Vargas and Abraham Tolentino from seeking POC posts in November 2016, but Branch 155 of the Pasig Regional Trial Court declared the ruling as faulty.
Vargas clinched the POC presidency via an overwhelming 24-15 victory.
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But Cojuangco and the entire POC executive committee of Jose Romasanta, Jeff Tamayo, Hontiveros, Cynthia Carrion, Jonne Go, Julian Camacho, Prospero Pichay, Clint Aranas and Robert Mananquil still have a pending motion in the CA, which seeks for a review of the decision made by the Pasig RTC.
Mananquil said their motion is still alive.
“Yes, it’s still there. He has yet to withdraw it,” Mananquil told the Tribune.
“Although the POC general assembly already decided to suspend the payment for Mr. Cojuangco’s legal team in his CA petition, I believe he will still pursue the case using his own resources. And it’s a sign that he’s serious in seeking clarification on the decision by the Pasig RTC.”
Mananquil reiterated that the lower court’s decision had set a very dangerous precedent in the Olympic movement.
“If the Court of Appeals will uphold the decision of the Pasig RTC, then we might as well amend the POC constitution and remove the provision that requires a minimum number of attendance for those who want to seek elective positions,” he said.
“At the same time, it sets a precedent that all athletes, coaches and even NSA (national sports association) officials can now seek legal redress instead of talking it among themselves.”
“I don’t think the IOC (International Olympic Committee) will allow it.”
Hontiveros, however, said: “It would be better if Cong (Cojuangco) would just drop the case and take it easy,” said Hontiveros. “At this point, he doesn’t need any stress.”
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