Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino stressed that he is ready to explain the reason behind the formation of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) Foundation Inc., a body that aimed to organize the country’s hosting of the 30th SEA Games without the imprimatur from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

Tolentino, the cycling chief who clinched the POC presidency in the special elections over the weekend, said he wants to foster camaraderie and goodwill among his fellow board members so he is ready to shed light on Phisgoc Foundation and its role in the biennial meet set from 30 November to 11 December at the New Clark City in Tarlac.

Phisgoc Foundation has been in the eye of the storm the past couple of months.

It was registered into a foundation June of last year, but the POC board members only discovered its existence after they obtained a copy of its Articles of Incorporation filed before the Securities and Exchange Commission last March.

The board members found out that their president — Ricky Vargas — was one of the eight original incorporators together with former POC chairman Tom Carrasco, POC communications director Ed Picson and former POC secretary general Patrick Gregorio.

Also original incorporators were some of the members of Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano’s inner circle in Ramon Suzara, Donaldo Caringal, Monica Anne Mitra and Dexter Estacio.

The POC executive council sought Vargas’ explanation, but he responded by delivering an emotional speech before firing key board members from their respective positions, including SEA Games chief of mission Monsour del Rosario and his deputy in Charlie Ho.

Few weeks later, Vargas showed up in an executive board meeting to explain upon the order of International Olympic Committee (IOC) director for National Olympic Committee Relations director Jerome Polvey.

But before the meeting could start, he tendered his irrevocable resignation.

To avoid a power vacuum, the IOC and Olympic Council of Asia called for special elections, where Tolentino was elected president following a 24-20 win over Philip Ella Juico of athletics.

Now, Tolentino said he is ready to explain on behalf of Vargas. “I will answer whatever their questions are,” said Tolentino during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum yesterday at the Amelie Hotel Manila.

“It’s now up to the board if they will accept it.”

“Hopefully, this would be a good start for the POC.”

Like Vargas, Tolentino also doesn’t enjoy the support of his executive board. The only allies he has in the powerful council are board member Cynthia

Carrion and his secretary-general.

First vice president Joey Romasanta, second vice president Jeff Tamayo,

treasurer Julian Camacho, auditor Jonne Go, IOC representative Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, immediate past president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco and board members Prospero Pichay and Robert Mananquil still have the majority and got even stronger with the inclusion of chairman Steve Hontiveros and Clint Aranas.

The executive council will hold its first board meeting on Friday, but the attendance remains in doubt as sources said members were not consulted about the schedule.

Included in the agenda were the appointments of the secretary general, deputy secretary general, chief of mission to the Tokyo Olympics and other committee chairmanships.

The board will also tackle updates on the SEA Games and POC finances, which incudes the change of bank signatories.

Hopefully, this would be a good start for the POC.

“We were not consulted about the schedule of the board meeting,” said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“Since some of us already have prior schedules, we can’t say that we would achieve 100 percent attendance in the very first board meeting of the new POC president. Let’s see.”

Still, Tolentino said he would offer his hand to achieve unity.

“It’s not a challenge for us; it’s a challenge for them,” he said. “We’re offering unity so it’s up to them to join us. If they don’t want, then we will go to another direction, which is the general assembly.”

“And it’s something we don’t want to happen.”