Clint Aranas is not relying purely on numbers in his bid to unseat incumbent Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino.
“I will leave that to your best judgment,” the president of the World Archery Philippines said while addressing the 54 qualified voters in the POC exercise scheduled on Nov. 27.
Aranas, a tax lawyer and former government official, said he’s not trying to “hard sell” his bid to become the POC president in this most challenging period for sports.
“That’s not how we campaign,” he told Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) webcast Forum presented by San Miguel Corp., Go For Gold, MILO, Amelie Hotel Manila, Braska Restaurant, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and powered by Smart.
Tolentino became POC president in July last year and took over the unfinished term of boxing chief Ricky Vargas. And now, he welcomes the challenge coming from Aranas.
“We’re all free to run and aspire for that position… if they want to give contributions to Philippine sports,” said Tolentino, who is seeking a full four-year term.
There are 54 voting members in the POC, including the 51 heads of the different national sports associations (NSAs); several members of the Athletes’ Commission; and International Olympic Committee (IOC) representative to the Philippines Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski.
However, Aranas hinted that there might be “two, three, or four” disqualifications because of certain NSAs having issues with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Aranas has his own platform, which he has based on utmost transparency and unity.
“For those who have known me, I’m a very simple person. I have nothing to hide. And we should be unified. Otherwise, it will never work,” he told the forum that has Upstream Media as official webcast partner.
Aranas said changes are needed in Philippine sports.
“We are at a critical turning point. We see the POC as a house divided. What do we really want? What do you need? What do we want to achieve?” he told the weekly forum.
“That’s why I was put here at the forefront. Somebody has to carry the fight.”
To help him achieve his goal, Aranas has formed a slate that includes Steve Hontiveros, who is running as chairman; Philip Juico as first vice president; Ada Milby as second vice president; Julian Camacho as treasurer; Monico Puentevella as auditor; and Robert Bachmann, Charlie Ho and Robert Mananquil as board members.
Joining Tolentino’s ticket are Tom Carrasco as chairman; Al Panlilio as first vice president; Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez as second vice president; Cynthia Carrion as treasurer; Chito Loyzaga as auditor; and Pearl Managuelod, Dave Carter, Rep. Butch Pichay and Dr. Jose Raul Canlas as board members.
“What is important is the heart and why we are doing this.”
