Cavite Governor Jonvic Remulla will serve as chief of mission to the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Philippine Olympic Committee said on Tuesday.
Remulla, 55, got the appointment after Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio begged off from assuming the post of CDM owing to his busy schedule as basketball head and his role as Chief Executive Officer of PLDT.
"We understand Al's [Panlilio] situation so we decided to appoint a new CDM for the Paris Olympics, somebody who has a great passion for sports, a true sportsman, somebody who has leadership, a workhorse and that's Governor Jonvic [Remulla]," POC president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino said.
Tolentino also bared the appointments of wrestling association chief Alvin Aguilar as CDM to the World Combat Games and rugby federation head Ada Milby to the 2024 Winter Olympic Youth Games.
The Paris Olympics are set 26 July to 11 August 11 and the Winter Olympic Youth Games from 19 January to 1 February in Gangwon Province in South Korea both next year. The World Combat Games are from 21 to 30 October this year in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Remulla is the honorary chairman of the rowing association and team manager of the University of the Philippines men's basketball team.
"The POC wanted a dedicated sportsman or personality who could live up to the responsibilities and obligations as CDM to Paris," said Tolentino.
Football chief Nonong Araneta was CDM in Tokyo while Joey Romasanta assumed that role in Rio 2016 and Manny Lopez served in London 2012. Monica Puentevella was CDM in Beijing and it was bowling boss Steve Hontiveros in Athens 2004.
What makes Paris much more significant, Tolentino explained, is that the Philippines is celebrating its 100thyear of participation in the Olympics in the same venue in 1924.
Tolentino said the appointment of a non-national sports association head as CDM has its precedent in then First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo. He was appointed CDM in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games that Manila hosted.
"He [Remulla] accepted the position without hesitation and he's really happy and excited about his role as Paris Olympics CDM," Tolentino said.
"We at the POC are confident that he can get the job done … he's a true sportsman and very dedicated to helping athletes," said Tolentino, a two-time Cavite congressman and currently the mayor of Tagaytay City.
In the Tokyo Olympics, the Philippines won its first gold medal courtesy of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz. Contributing to the solid medal haul was boxing's two silver and a bronze that came from Carlos Paalam and Nesthy Petecio and Eumir Marcial.