Ricky Vargas quits as Philippine Olympic Committee president

Ricky Vargas has stepped down from his post as president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) five months before the country hosts the Southeast Asian Games.

Vargas resigned three weeks after he fired his predecessor, Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr., membership committee head Robert Bachmann, 30th Southeast Asian Games Chef de Mission Monsour del Rosario, his deputy Charlie Ho, and POC first Vice President Joey Romasanta from the POC Executive Board on May 27 for convening POC executive board meetings without his  knowledge.

Vargas also fired officials Jeff Tamayo, Julian Camacho, Jonne Go, Clint Aranas and International Olympic Committee Representative Mikee Cojuangco for attending the meetings.

“This is to inform the Executive Board of the Philippine Olympic Committee that I am tendering my irrevocable resignation from the post of President of the organization, effective immediately," Vargas said in a statement.

"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,” he added.

“I ask for the understanding of all concerned, most especially the athletes and NSAs (National Sports Associations) who have supported my initiatives in the organization,” Vargas said.

Prior to Vargas' purge of POC officials, Peping Cojuangco and the officials whom he held meetings with questioned Vargas' decision to allow the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) Foundation to take charge of the country's hosting of the SEA Games without informing the POC Executive Board, as well as alleged overpricing of supplies from Asics, the official outfitter of Team Philippines for the SEA Games in November.

Under its Constitution and by laws, the POC is the sole authority “responsible for the representation of the Philippines at the Olympic Games, Youth Olympic Games, Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games, as well as other events held under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia and to undertake the organization of these Games when they are held in the Philippines.”

The term representation covers the decision to participate and the entry of athletes selected by their respective NSAs.

Peaceful transition

Vargas walked away from his post without fiery statements and even said that he has asked POC Communications Director Patrick Gregorio to assist the incoming president in the smooth transition of leadership.

“Rest assured, I will continue to support Philippine sports in my private capacity, particularly as an official of the MVP Sports Foundation and as President of ABAP (Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines),” Vargas said. —NB, GMA News