The stories of two ‘Vargas’

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

THE two biggest national sports news nowadays are the disqualification of ABAP (Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines) president Ricky Vargas to run for the POC (Philippine Olympic Committee) presidency this coming November 25 elections and the comeback fight of Filipino boxing icon Sen. Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao against WBO (World Boxing Organization) reigning welterweight (147 lbs) titleholder Jessie Vargas of Mexico.
Ricky, 64, who served ABAP for the last eight years was disqualified to oppose incumbent POC president Jose Cojuangco, Jr. because he failed to personally attend more than half of the 12 general assembly of the National Sports Associations (NSA) meetings over the last two years. That’s the Comelec interpretation of the eligibility rule. But the camp of Ricky headed by Atty. Chito Salud promised to fight it out all the way up to Lausanne, Switzerland before the Court of Arbitration for Sports by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines (PhilCycling) president Bambol Tolentino who is candidate as POC chairman under the ticket of Ricky was also technically thumbed down by the Comelec for the same reason, the lack of personal active participation in the general assembly meetings. Obviously you can sense that politics is again rearing its ugly head here, as usual. Wonder no more kaya hindi tayo umaasenmso.
I believe there’s a clamor for a change in the POC leadership because we all know that our country’s sports under Peping’s leadership and his cabals since 2004 were unproductive for the last 12 years. The over staying former Tarlac lawmaker is now 82 years old! Hopefully he’ll be replaced by a younger blood like Vargas or anybody else, but please not Peping again. Amen.
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Despite my antipathy towards Pacquiao due to his absence or lack of palabra de honor,” I still pick him to win his coming clash against my half-country mate Vargas on November 5 (Nov. 6 PH time) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Recall that when Pacman started, he gleefully stated that he’ll represent Philippines in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games if the IOC concept materializes accepting professional boxers in the quadrennial meet. The new IOC concept came into a reality to the delight of many Filipino boxing aficionados (including this writer) since our boxing national treasure is our best hope to win the elusive Olympic gold medal. But Pacman eventually backtracked with an alibi that he already retired in his chosen sports career, and needs to focus his waking hours as a senator. He said he won’t box anymore. But look what’s happening now? He’s making a comeback and ate his words again. This time he justifies his turnaround because he says he needs funds to support his family, relatives and friends. So fine, it’s his right to change his mind to box again.

Professional boxing especially at his level with big amount of money to earn is irresistibly tempting. Obviously, Pacman deliberately did not join our Rio Olympic delegation because no money was at stake but a medal and the honor. But remember, “Honor cannot be paid by money,” as the saying goes. I agree.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 TIMOTHY 6: 10

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