A solid bloc of Philippine Olympic Committee executives is giving POC chief Ricky Vargas five working days to explain some pressing issues regarding the country’s hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games this November.
In a lengthy meeting last Tuesday, majority of the POC board members questioned Vargas’ involvement in the Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) Foundation Inc., which is different from the ad hoc body affirmed by the Olympic council in their 29 March meeting.
Aside from Vargas, POC secretary general Patrick Gregorio and POC communications chief Ed Picson are also among the incorporators of Phisgoc Foundation.
We are not here to undermine the leadership of the POC president.
“Why was the Phisgoc incorporated to prepare and organize the 30th SEA Games when such function is already vested in the POC?” said the board composed of POC auditor Jonnie Go, first vice president Joey Romasanta, second vice president Jeff Tamayo, treasurer Julian Camacho, board member Clint Aranas and immediate past president Jose Cojuangco.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) representative Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski was also in the meeting through video call, but was unable to formally sign the minutes of the meeting.
Former IOC representative Frank Elizalde, POC membership committee chairman Robert Bachmann and SEA Games deputy chief of mission Charlie Ho were also present as observers.
Another important question that the POC wants to ask Vargas is how Phisgoc Foundation
will utilize fund from private sponsorship and the items chargeable to government funds.
Board members are seeking clarification on who will authorize the disbursement and expenses for the Games set from 30 November to 15 December.
To properly monitor the fund, the board also wants to change the combination of the signatories in their bank accounts. Right now, the signatories are Vargas and Gregorio, but the board wants either Vargas and Camacho or Gregorio and Romasanta.
Daily Tribune contacted Gregorio, but calls were unreturned.
Go, however, clarified that they are not looking to unseat the POC chief.
“We are not here to undermine the leadership of the POC president,” said Go, who informed Gregorio that they are calling for a special board meeting after gaining the support of majority in the POC board.
“We just want to clarify these pressing issues as we head into the crucial stretch of our SEA Games preparation. As board members, I think we have the right to know what’s going on and offer our help in case Mr. Vargas needs it.”
