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Ricky Vargas steps down as POC head

Ricky Vargas leaves the POC presidency after being there for just 16 months. Dennis Acosta (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—In a shocking development, Ricky Vargas is resigning as the president of the Philippine Olympic Committee.

On Tuesday, Vargas informed the POC executive board of his decision to step down from the said post in its meeting in Pasig.

"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," his resignation letter read.

The resignation put to an end a 16-month tenure of Vargas as POC president.

Vargas suddenly came under fire in what would be his last days as POC head when it was revealed that he was among the incorporators of the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee Foundation, which did not sit well with most of the members of the POC board.

Vargas eventually resigned as an incorporator on April 2 but remained the PHISGOC's co-chairman.

[Related Story: Conflict of interest urges Vargas to step down from PHISGOC Foundation board]

Joey Romasanta, the current first vice president, will take over as the new POC chief, while Vargas stays in the POC board being the immediate past president.

"I have requested Secretary General Patrick Gregorio to assist the incoming president in the smooth transition of leadership until he, the new president, shall have appointed his own secretary general," Vargas continued.

The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines president then vowed, "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."

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