PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino yesterday said the issue of declaring athletics chief Philip Ella Juico persona non grata will remain in the agenda of the POC general assembly meeting today, Wednesday.
“It (the Juico issue) will be on the agenda. Nakasalang siya,” Tolentino confirmed yesterday in the Philippine Sportswriters Association online forum.
He said the POC regular membership consisting of 52 National Sports Association and individuals, including International Olympic Committee Executive Board member Mikee Cojuangco, the IOC representative to the Philippines, will be involved in the meeting.
“We in the POC, sumusunod lang kami sa procedure. Since it was passed by the POC Executive Board, the next step is for the general assembly to either sustain, ratify, or overrule the decision,” the POC chief said.
Last Dec. 28, by a vote of 12 for and two abstentions, the POC Executive Board declared Juico “persona non grata” (undesirable), based on the recommendation of the POC Ethics Committee led by rowing chief Pato Gregorio following the complaint filed by pole vaulter EJ Obiena accusing the track chief of harassment.
Tolentino said they included the issue in today’s agenda after Obiena last Monday formally declined the mediation process that Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez had tried to arrange between the athlete and Patafa.
