Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — It’s time for change.
This is the call of Ricky Vargas, the president of the Alliances of Boxing Associations of the Philippines (ABAP), as he challenges current Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Peping Cojuangco for the organization’s leadership.
Cojuangco has been head of the POC for the past 12 years.
Vargas formally filed his certificate of candidacy at the POC office at the PhilSports Complex on Monday morning.
According to Vargas, he was emboldened to run for the post by messages from both athletes and various heads of national sporting associations (NSAs).
“Hearing messages from athletes themselves, that they themselves are looking for change,” Vargas said. “Hearing messages from NSAs who are afraid to come out because of vindictiveness if they do.”
Vargas further emphasized that there was a call for a different leadership beyond the current 12-year reign of Cojuangco.
“Clamor for something new outside of the 12 years’ experience that we had already,” Vargas said. “Status quo versus wanting something new.”
Accompanying Vargas to the POC office was a group of partners and NSA officials.
The group also bared the complete ticket for the upcoming elections on November 25:
President — Ricky Vargas
Chairman — Rep. Bambol Tolentino
Treasurer — Sonny Barrios
First Vice-President — Rep. Albee Benitez
Second Vice-President — Lucas Managuelod
Auditor — Ting Ledesma
Moving on after 12 years
“It is very hard to dislodge a 12-year reign in the POC,” Vargas admitted. “Medyo nagtapangtapangan na kami because we want to serve.”
Cojuango first won the POC election after running unopposed in 2004, and now he is seeking his fourth straight term as the president.
With the task of preventing a fourth consecutive term from happening, Vargas refused to say if he had the number of committed votes to do so.
“If I say yes, wouldn’t that be self-serving? We are in an election process,” Vargas said. “We hope that the NSAs, we will be able to convince them come election time to come join us.”
Five program focus
Vargas also laid out a brief overview of his plans, should he get the nod to head the POC.
The ABAP head said that he had a “five program focus” in mind.
To enable and empower NSAs for them to develop and select athletes.
Better governance, not political governance. Will allow NSAs to select own leaders, but POC will be there for governance’s sake.
Will reward based on performance and nothing else
Will work side-by-side with the Philippine Sports Commission, because we believe in putting up facilities to encourage grass roots development.
Will work closely with the IOC, to seek support for and champion NSA programs and athletes.
According to Vargas, he is confident that success in implementing his plans would lead to better performances in the international stage.
“If we can achieve the five point KPIs (Key Performance Indicator) that we have put together, then I think we would be successful,” Vargas said.
He added, they are aiming for a better performance in the SEA Games and in the Olympics as a result of their program and policy changes.
