Ricky Vargas resigns as POC president
WHAT was supposed to be a dialogue to straighten the affairs in the Philippine Olympic Committee and preparations for the Southeast Asian Games which the country is hosting later this year created more problems after POC president Ricky Vargas resigned from his post yesterday.
Meeting members of the POC Board at the Philsports Complex in Pasig City, Mr. Vargas tendered his irrevocable resignation to give way, he said, to other sports leaders “who would have the time and inclination needed to lead the POC effectively.”
He made his resignation official through a letter coursed through POC chairman Abraham Tolentino.
Mr. Vargas, also president of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines, stepped down from his post a year and a half since taking the position in February 2018, a tenure that proved to be rocky with him not seeing eye-to-eye with some sports leaders on certain issues and policies.
Having worked in the private sector, he earlier expressed dislike over the politics surrounding Philippine sports.
Mr. Vargas’ resignation comes less than six months before the country hosts the 30th SEA Games in November to December.
In his letter, Mr. Vargas requested POC secretary-general Patrick Gregorio to assist the incoming president for an easy transition.
POC first vice-president Jose Romasanta is expected to assume the POC leadership until a new president is elected. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
