Bukidnon Football Association general secretary John Anthony Gutierrez was elected as the new president of the Philippine Football Federation during its Extraordinary Congress  at The Bellevue Manila Hotel in Muntinlupa City yesterday.

Gutierrez, 46, will take over from former football chief Mariano "Nonong" Araneta, who served the PFF from 2010 to 2013 and is thankful for the overwhelming support he got after winning 30 of the 36 votes.

He beat Stallion Laguna FC president Filbert Alquiros, PFF executive committee member Engr. Henry Sabate for the highest position in Philippine football and was welcomed by International Football Federation Council Member Kohzo Tashima of Japan and FIFA Regional Director for Asia and Oceania Sanjeevan Balasingam, who were in attendance in the elections.

"It hasn't sunk in yet. I feel overwhelmed with the number of votes we garnered. Because of such, I have the support of the congress, which makes my job easier,"  said Guttierez, who also runs San Roque Shipping Incorporated.

"I'm happy that the support is overwhelming. In a nutshell, this is the gap I want to bridge: I want to give our youth the same training opportunities and exposure as other countries that are better at football. We have the talent but unfortunately, we don't have the right program and that's the gap I want to fill."

Joining him for the new term are PFF first vice president Lawrence Lemuel Fortun and Jay Adriatico along with Female Member Isabella Francesca Fernando.

Completing the officers are Luzon members Rufino Arellano, Virgilio Imperial, Lovely Gladys Mae Tababa and Alvin Yalung, Visayas members Elmers Gallardo, Rodney Orale, Renee Songalia and Roceller Sumbillo and Mindanao members Irvin Banga, Gemayel Gampong, Stephen Gorgonio and Damsel Merced.