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| The Bambol Tolentino-led "Working Team" will lead the POC up to the LA Olympics. Ivan Saldajeno |
PARAÑAQUE—Tagaytay mayor Bambol Tolentino will remain the president of the Philippine Olympic Committee as his entire ticket, known as the "Working Team", dominated the organization's general elections on Friday at the East Ocean Palace Restaurant.
Tolentino, also the president of cycling, earned the nod of 45 National Sports Association representatives who cast their votes.
Tolentino prevailed over outgoing auditor Chito Loyzaga of baseball, who got 15 votes, as he stays on as POC chief for another four years, assuring that he will oversee the Filipino athletes' road to the LA Olympics in 2028.
Behind Tolentino's leadership in the POC, the Philippines got its first three Olympic gold medals courtesy of weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz in 2021 and gymnast Carlos Yulo earlier this year.
Tolentino's entire ticket won all the seats declared vacant by Jan. 1, 2025.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio also stays as POC's first vice president, running unopposed with 53 votes.
Actor Richard Gomez, representing Pentathlon, will also keep his post as second vice president after beating late replacement Carl Sambrano of skateboarding, 37-22.
Despite withdrawing his candidacy, squash president Bob Bachmann still got one vote in the proceedings.
Renowned sports doctor George Canlas of surfing is set to become the new POC treasurer, replacing gymnastics chief Cynthia Carrion-Norton.
Canlas also ran unopposed and got 54 votes.
Don Caringal of the Philippine National Volleyball Federation will replace Loyzaga as auditor, winning over Rod Roque, 47-12.
Lenlen Escollante of canoe kayak, Alvin Aguilar of wrestling, Ferdie Agustin of jiu-jitsu, Ali Sulit of judo, and Leah Gonzales of fencing were all voted to the POC executive board.
Sixty-one NSA officials were supposed to vote on Friday, but the designated representative from the Philippine Rugby Football Union failed to cast their vote, making them the only complete abstention in the elections.
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