Bumaba sa tungkulin si Ricky Vargas bilang presidente ng Philippine Olympic Committee kasunod ng isinagawang executive session kasama ang board sa headquarters ng POC sa PhilSports compound sa lungsod ng Pasig.
Si Vargas, na nagwagi sa eleksyon kontra kay Peping Cojuangco noong Pebrero ng nakaraang taon, ay nakatakdang palitan sa puwesto ni 1st Vice President Joey Romasanta.
“The majority of the board were here today, save for certain members of the board. Our president was here, Mr. Vargas. And fortunately, we had a very good, very successful board meeting where we ironed out some issues but at the end of the day, the president, Ricky Vargas decided to tender his irrevocable resignation as POC president. Irrevocably,” wika ni POC spokesperson Clint Aranas.
Sa kanyang resignation letter, sinabi ni Vargas na mayroon pa umanong ibang mga sports leaders na may oras at kagustuhang pamunuan ang POC.
“I ask for the understanding of all concerned, most especially the athletes and the NSAs who have supported my initiatives in the organization,” wika ni Vargas. “Rest assured, I will continue to support Philippine sports in my private capacity, particularly as an official of the MVP Sports Foundation and as President of ABAP [Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines].”
Paliwanag pa ni Vargas, naging malaking factor din umano sa kanyang pasya ang corporate responsibilities at sentimiyento mula sa kanyang pamilya.
Inatasan naman nito si Secretary General Patrick Gregorio na tumulong sa mapayapang pagpapalit ng administrasyon sa ahensya.
Hindi naman tinapos ni Vargas ang pulong sa mga members ng executive board at umalis dahil sa “prior commitment.”
Ang pagbibitiw na ito ni Vargas ay nangyari ilang buwan bago ang 2019 South East Asian (SEA) Games.
