Ricky Vargas has been appointed as the chef de mission for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, while Al Panlilio will take on the same role for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games.
These key appointments were made during the Philippine Olympic Committee’s (POC) first General Assembly of the year, held on Wednesday at the East Ocean Seafood Restaurant in Parañaque City.
Other appointees, as announced by POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, include Rep. Richard Gomez for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, Dr. Jose Raul Canlas for the Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, and Stephen Arapoc for the Chengdu 2025 World Games.
“The goal is to prepare our teams – and athletes – thoroughly for international competitions, which is why these chefs de mission have been appointed,” Tolentino stated.
“If we prepare early, there will be no excuses.”
Richard Lim of the Karate Federation has been designated as chef de mission for the Asian Winter Games in Harbin, which will run from February 7 to 14.
However, the chef de mission for the Third Asian Youth Olympic Games, scheduled from October 22 to 31 in Bahrain, has yet to be named.
Vargas, a former POC president and current chairman of the boxing federation, brings extensive experience to his role. Meanwhile, Panlilio (basketball) and Gomez (modern pentathlon) serve as the POC’s first and second vice presidents, respectively.
Canlas (surfing) is the organization’s treasurer, while Arapoc heads the Wushu Federation.
The Southeast Asian Games will take place this year from December 9 to 20 in Chonburi, Songkhla, and Bangkok.
The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics are slated for February 6 to 22, 2026, followed by the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games from September 19 to October 4 of the same year.
The Los Angeles Olympics are scheduled for July 14 to 30, 2028.
Additionally, former Philippine Football Federation president Mariano “Nonong” Araneta was appointed as chairman of the Ethics Committee. Atty. Daniel Hofileña, a non-POC member, will head the Arbitration Committee.
During the assembly, Tolentino announced the approval of the 2025 working budget, amounting to ₱35 million – ₱8 million less than last year’s allocation due to preparations and participation in the Paris Olympics.
He also revealed that the POC saved ₱15 million in 2024, highlighting prudent financial management under his leadership.
