Panlilio, Canlas reaffirm commitment to Tolentino’s leadership in Philippine Sports

Basketball federation president Al Panlilio and surfing federation head Dr. Jose Raul Canlas have publicly reaffirmed their dedication to Philippine sports under the leadership of incumbent Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino. Panlilio and Canlas are set to run as first vice president and treasurer, respectively, on Tolentino’s ticket for the upcoming POC elections.

“I’m committed only to Philippine sports, to the Filipino athletes, and to the leadership of Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino, who did a good job, and we are hoping to make it better or sustainable in the upcoming years,” said Panlilio, who is also president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the current POC first vice president.

Dr. Canlas, who leads the United Philippine Surfing Association, echoed Panlilio’s sentiment, stating, “I am for Philippine sports and for the Filipino athletes. [Tagaytay City] Mayor Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino has proven himself as an effective leader.”

PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and First Vice Al Panlilio, also head of the basketball association, do a selfie with the electronic scoreboard showing the final score of the Philippines-China game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum

Tolentino is seeking a renewed four-year term as POC president in the elections set for November 29 at East Ocean Seafood Restaurant. He has assembled a “Working Team” that includes Panlilio, second vice president Richard Gomez, Canlas, Donaldo “Don” Caringal from volleyball as auditor, and executive board members Alvin Aguilar (wrestling), Alexander “Ali” Sulit (judo), Ferdinand “Ferdie” Agustin (jiu-jitsu), Leonora Escollante (canoe-kayak), and Leah Jalandoni Gonzales (fencing).

In a surprise move, Chito Loyzaga, the baseball association president, filed his candidacy for POC president, naming Panlilio as first vice president and Canlas as treasurer on his ticket. Panlilio and Canlas, however, clarified that they turned down Loyzaga’s offers and were surprised to see their names on his ticket.

“I’m so surprised to see my name on their list,” Panlilio explained, noting that Loyzaga had previously mentioned leaving his first vice president slot open, and the same applied to Canlas’s position as treasurer. “It is now confusing. We did not tell them to include our names in their ticket.”

Canlas echoed Panlilio’s stance, emphasizing his commitment to Tolentino’s leadership. “They considered me to run as their first vice president—that was their first offer,” Canlas said. “I’m honored and thankful, but I declined and told them that I will only stick to my original commitment to run under Mayor Tolentino.”

The POC election process will again be overseen by Atty. Teodoro Kalaw IV as chair of the POC Commission on Elections, with Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba Rector and President Rev. Fr. Napoleon Encarnacion, O.P., and Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo as members. The filing period for candidacies began on October 15 and concluded on October 30.

The POC includes 59 voting members, comprising 34 Olympic national sports associations, 22 non-Olympic federations, two representatives from the Athletes Commission, and the International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines, Mikaela María Antonia “Mikee” de los Reyes Cojuangco-Jaworski.