The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) on Tuesday has slammed the “declaration of concern” issued by dissenting sports leaders as it branded the statement as a mere "deception" to put the committee in bad light.

POC chief Jose “Peping” Cojuangco said most of the signatories of the “declaration” issued last week were “not even leaders of their own national sports associations (NSA).”

“Ang policy ng POC is for sports, it’s for the country. It’s not for anybody who wants to be elected and to be in position to be in power,” said Cojuangco during Tuesday’s Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue Branch.

Those present during the forum to show support for the POC are Julian Camacho, Wushu Federation of the Philippines (WFP) secretary general; Mark Joseph, Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA) president; Leonora Brawner, National Archery Association of the Philippines (NAAP) president; Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, Equestrian Association of the Philippines board member; and billiard players Efren “Bata” Reyes, Francisco “Django” Bustamante and Gandy Valle.

The signatories of the declaration being questioned by the POC are Jane Ong (PASA), Renato Batolome (NAAP), Edwin Pimentel (WFP), Jetro Lozada (Wrestling Association of the Philippines), Yen Makabenta (Billiards and Snooker Congress of the Philippines), Abraham Tolentino (Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines) and Carissa Coscolluela (EAP).

The POC said the signatories mentioned have either lost in their respective elections or won in invalid polls.

The only signatory recognized by the POC was former First Lady and Badminton Association of the Philippines president Amelita “Ming” Ramos, who was formally re-elected during the committee-sanctioned elections just last Sunday.

In the “declaration of concern” the dissenters have accused the POC of meddling with the affairs of NSAs.

“In a series of arbitrary acts, the leadership of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has interfered brazenly in the internal affairs of NSAs, trampling on their autonomy and rights, making a mockery of their elections and betraying the basic principles of the POC and the POC General Assembly,” stated the declaration.

‘Follow the rules’

However, Joseph, who also stands as POC deputy secretary, said the dissenters should instead follow the rules and face the issues formally.

“Ayaw na ba nating mabasa ng mga rules? Ayaw ba nating intindihin ‘yong nakasulat sa rules na ang POC ang final arbiter sa mga intra-NSA disputes? Pangalawa pwedeng dalhin ‘yan sa general assembly, pangatlo, pwedeng dalhin sa court of arbitration sa sports. Napaka-simple niyan,” said Joseph.

He said the rules are contained in the constitution duly approved by the POC and the International Olympic Committee.

“The POC executive board is simply doing its duty. All of these are subject to appeal and can be discussed during general assembly,” said Joseph. “Hindi po pwedeng by text, ‘di pwedeng by press release. Kaya naman hindi ma-formalize ang kani-kanilang daing.”

Joseph added that the POC was merely being twitted for failing to take their detractor's side.

"Kung ibinibintangan ang POC na hindi naso-solve itong mga NSA ang disputes, diniktahan din nila ang POC kapag hindi na-resolve itong mga NSA dispute," he said. Dennis Gasgonia, abs-cbnNEWS.com