The questionable formation of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) Foundation, Inc. sparked the ongoing leadership crisis in the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

Phisgoc Foundation, a body that aims to organize the 30th Southeast Asian Games, was created without the imprimatur of the POC executive board.

But the POC board members were shocked to see that in its Articles of Incorporation filed before the Securities and Exchange Commission in July of last year, it shows that it wants to take the functions of the local Olympic council, including the hosting of the SEA Games and other future international tournaments as well as control the fund from sponsorships, donations and subsidies and allocate it for the purposes of the corporation.

Former POC president Ricky Vargas was one of the eight original incorporators together with former POC secretary general Patrick Gregorio, POC communications director Ed Picson and former POC chairman Tom Carrasco.

### I'm just wondering: Why do every time that the agenda of the general assembly and the board meeting is about the preparations for the SEA Games, something happens?

Also listed as incorporators are some of the members of the inner circle of Taguig Cong. Alan Peter Cayetano like Donaldo Caringal, Ramon Suzara, Monica Anne Mitra and Dexter Estacio.

Cayetano was initially tapped to head the organizing committee under the POC, but when former POC president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco was booted out of power last year, the ad hoc body was transformed into a foundation with the goal of taking away the functions of the local Olympic council.

The POC executive board questioned Vargas' involvement in the Phisgoc Foundation and was given enough time to reply. But instead of coming up with a clear explanation, he called for a general assembly meeting on 27 May where he delivered an expletive-laced speech before POC chairman Abraham Tolentino abruptly called for the adjournment.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) finally stepped in and instructed Vargas to meet the POC executive board.

Again, he resigned even before the official board meeting could take place.

"This problem started when the executive board questioned the relationship and agreements that former POC president Ricky Vargas entered into," said POC secretary general Charlie Ho in an interview.

"It all started from there. The executive board made it clear that it doesn't want Ricky Vargas to resign. But with these happening, why are they now blaming the executive board? Who abruptly adjourned the general assembly meeting last 27 May without allowing the members to speak?"

"They promised that they would explain all the issues raised by the members, but after the speech of the POC president, they adjourned it without giving the members a chance to object."

Ho added that it's very obvious that Vargas and his group are skirting the issue and the ongoing leadership dispute is meant to cover up the real picture of the Phisgoc Foundation and its messy and delayed preparation of the SEA Games.

"I'm just wondering: Why do every time that the agenda of the general assembly and the board meeting is about the preparations for the SEA Games, something happens? Do they mean it or is it just mere coincidence? I really don't know."

Meanwhile, the IOC and the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) issued another communiqué, reminding the Tolentino, Vargas and other resigned POC board members like Cynthia Carrion and Clint Aranas to "abstain" from joining the crucial board meeting on 8 July.

IOC National Olympic Committee Relations director James Macleod and OCA director general Husain Al-Musallam made the statement in reaction to what Tolentino said in a press briefing that he remains as the POC chairman in holdover capacity and would still preside the special board meeting that was meant to lay the groundwork for the special elections.

"Any individual whose position in the executive board is disputed and subject of to any interpretation should abstain from participating in the meeting to avoid further disputes or challenges in the interest of the POC as an institution," Macleod and Al-Musallam said in a joint statement.

"Everyone should simply respect the collegial decisions or resolutions taken by members of the competent governing bodies of the POC, be it the executive board or the general assembly."

*(Photo caption: PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee secretary general Charlie Ho points at the messy preparation for the 30th Southeast Asian Games as the culprit in their leadership crisis.)*