Al Panlilio looks to do more for athletes now as a POC official
ALREADY wearing a number of hats in the corporate and sports worlds, PLDT Chief Revenue Officer and Smart Communications, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Alfredo S. Panlilio added another one — first vice-president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).
It is a new role that Mr. Panlilio, also the president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Inc. (SBP), shared is going to be a challenge but something he is looking forward to taking on as it would allow him to do more for Filipino athletes.
Mr. Panlilio was voted into the POC position in elections held on Friday.
Also winning were Stephen Hontiveros (chairman), Abraham Tolentino (president), Richard Gomez (second vice-president), Chito Loyzaga (auditor), Cynthia Carrion-Norton (treasurer), David Carter, Raul Canlas, Charlie Ho, and Pearl Managuelod (executive board members).
The PLDT-Smart official ran under the ticket of Mr. Tolentino and beat Philip Ella Juico of athletics for the first vice-president position, 30-23. He will begin his four-year POC term on Jan. 1, 2021.
“We are here to serve and not be served. We want to serve, especially the athletes,” said Mr. Panlilio following his election win.
He went on to say that part of their mission in the POC is to make it a stronger organization, anchored only on the best values and practices, something he said they strive for in PLDT and Smart as well as in the SBP.
“We want to bring professionalism, accountability, and good governance to the table. We want to put in the proper policies for the athletes and the people who represent our country in the field of sports,” he said.
Mr. Panlilio also shared that he does not see working in the POC as too much of a burden, underscoring the value of teamwork to get things done and achieve goals.
“Well, I have to manage my time well for sure. But working with good teams would be very helpful. You cannot do it alone,” he said.
“That’s true for the SBP. That’s true for PLDT and Smart. I’m also part of the NGAP (National Golf Association of the Philippines). We have to work together. At the end of the day, this (POC) team will have to perform together like in any sport. We have to excel and work to achieve progress,” added Mr. Panlilio. — Michael Angelo S. Murillo
