Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino secured another four-year term as president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) after a commanding victory in the POC elections held on Friday, November 29, at the East Ocean Garden Restaurant in Parañaque City. Tolentino’s “Working Team” dominated the polls, sweeping every contested position.
“The General Assembly has spoken,” Tolentino said after receiving 45 votes from the 61 eligible voters, which accounted for 75% of the total votes. His opponent, baseball federation head Chito Loyzaga, garnered just 15 votes.
![Left to right: Bong Coo, Len Escollante, Richard Gomez, Bambol Tolentino, Atty. Kalaw, Alvin Aguilar, Donaldo Caringal, Alexander Sulit, Dr. Canlas and Fr. Encarnacion. Declared through video call: Al Panlilio, Ferdinand “Ferdie” Agustin (judo) and Leah Gonzalez (fencing) [POC photo]](http://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/poc2.png)
Declared through video call: Al Panlilio, Ferdinand “Ferdie” Agustin (judo) and Leah Gonzalez (fencing) [POC photo]
Smooth Elections Despite Opposition Challenges
The election proceeded smoothly despite attempts to disrupt it. Robert Bachmann, a member of the opposing “Together in Excellence” team, filed a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) in a Pasig City court to halt the process. However, the TRO did not materialize, allowing the election to continue uninterrupted.
“I think performance was the basis for the landslide victory,” said Tolentino, who has consistently supported athletes and national sports associations during his tenure.
Unopposed Wins and Dominant Races
Key positions were filled by Tolentino’s team with little resistance:
- Al Panlilio (basketball) ran unopposed for First Vice President, securing 53 votes.
- Rep. Richard Gomez (fencing) triumphed over skateboarding’s Carl Sambrano, 37-22, for Second Vice President.
- Dr. Jose Raul Canlas (surfing) also ran unopposed for Treasurer, earning 54 votes.
- Donaldo Caringal (volleyball) clinched the Auditor position with 47 votes, defeating Rodrigo Roque (12 votes).
The team also dominated the elections for Executive Board positions, with Leonora Escollante, Alvin Aguilar, Ferdinand Agustin, Alexander Sulit, and Leah Gonzales all securing wins.
A Focus on Athletes
“This is not for me but for the country, the POC, and most importantly, the athletes,” Tolentino emphasized. His victory reinforces his commitment to fostering sports development in the Philippines, particularly after overseeing successful campaigns like the nation’s three Olympic gold medals in weightlifting and gymnastics.
The election was supervised by a committee led by Atty. Teodoro Kalaw IV, along with Philippine Sports Commission commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo and Letran-Calamba Rector Fr. Napoleon Encarnacion, OP.
Voter Turnout and Representation
Of the 61 eligible voters, 58 were from national sports associations (NSAs), two represented the Athletes Commission, and one vote came from International Olympic Committee (IOC) representative Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski. Rugby was the only NSA absent from the elections.
Tolentino’s victory solidifies his leadership at the POC, with the promise of continuing programs that uplift Filipino athletes and strengthen the nation’s Olympic stature.
