THE Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) is set to see some changes as its new officials are elected today.

In the POC elections, there are 54 voters, 51 of whom represent (National Sports Associations (NSAs). The Athletes Commission representatives are Hidilyn Diaz and Jhessie Lacuna, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) representative from the Philippines is Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski.

Candidates for each position are all set.

The presidential race is between Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines President Abraham Tolentino, who is also the Cavite Eighth District representative, and World Archery Philippine President Clint Aranas, who is also a tax attorney.

Tolentino seeks to serve for a another term after taking over the position of president last year due to the resignation of Ricky Vargas.

Stephen Hontiveros, president of the Philippine Handball Federation, also seeks a second term as POC Chairman. Challenging him for the position is Tomas Carrasco Jr., president of the Triathlon Association of the Philippines.

Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas President Al Panlilio runs for the position of POC first vice president. He goes up against Philip Juico, the president of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association.

The race for POC second vice president is between Ada Milby, secretary general of the Philippine Rugby Football Union, and Richard Gomez, president of the Philippine Fencing Association.

Cynthia Carrion, president of the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines, vies for the post of POC Treasurer with Julian Camacho, the secretary general of the Wushu Federation of the Philippines.

Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas President Monico Puentevella and Philippine Amateur Baseball Association President Joaquin Loyzaga are both eyeing the POC Auditor position.

Finally, the candidates for the four POC executive board members are: Robert Bachmann, president of Philippine Squash Academy; Raul Canlas, president of the United Philippine Surfing Association; David Carter, president of the Philippine Judo Federation; Charlie Ho, president of the Philippine Netball Federation; Pearl Managuelod, secretary general of the Muay Thai Association of the Philippines; Roberto Mananquil, secretary general of the Billiards Sports Confederation of the Philippines; Prospero Pichay Jr., president of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines; and Antonio de Lara Tamayo, president of the Philippine Soft Tennis Association.

The POC 2020 election has had an intriguing incident leading up to it.

Days before the election, the election committee denied the disqualification protest of presidential candidate Aranas, who was party to a complaint against fellow presidential candidate Tolentino, who is also the president of the Integrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines.

The committee verdict stated, “All official protests filed against [Tom] Carrasco, [Abraham] Tolentino, [Cynthia] Carrion-Norton, [Raul] Canlas and [Dave] Carter are denied in their entirety for the lack of merit.”

This prompted Tolentino to take a jab at the protesters, jibing, “Bereft [of] merit, these allegations are purely [meant] to destroy character and reputation, putting anomalous accusations in the eyes and ears of the innocent stakeholders. Little did [the complainants] know [that] they are creating chaos not only inside the POC, but also to naked eye of the public,” he said before ending with a Bible verse from John 8:32. “The truth shall set you free.”