Just five months left before the 30th Southeast Asian Games opens its curtains, the Philippine Olympic Committee is scrambling to find a new leader.
Ricky Vargas has resigned as the president of the POC during an executive council meeting held in Pasig City.
“We had a good meeting but at the end of the day, our president decided to tender his irrevocable resignation and we respected that,” Archery Association president Clint Aranas told Reuben Terrado of SPIN.ph.
Taking the role of acting president from this time on will be first vice president Joey Romasanta.
“After much introspection, I have determined that there would be other sports leaders who would have the time and inclination needed to lead the POC more effectively,” Vargas said in a statement.
Moreover, he cited corporate responsibilities and family sentiments as reasons for his resignation.
For the past few weeks, Vargas – who ended Peping Cojuangco’s 13-year chairmanship – has come under fire due to the SEA Games.
One issue raised was the formation of the PHISGOC Foundation, which is different from PHISGOC but holds the same role for the SEAG. Many of the members of the board also questioned the overpricing of sports apparel.
Vargas has tasked secretary-general Pato Gregorio to assist in the transition.
