Temporary Restraining Order disrupts Equestrian Association of Philippines election

Friday, 13 November 2009 22:21

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco Jr. will stay as chief of the Equestrian Association of the Philippines (EAP) at least for the next 20 days.  Disgruntled members of the Equestrian Association of the Philippines successfully secured a temporary restraining order (TRO) which disrupted a scheduled election late afternoon yesterday.

The EAP was supposed to hold an election to resolve the leadership dispute between the camp of Philippine Olympic Committee president and incumbent EAP chief Jose “Peping” Cojuangco Jr. and Coscolluela last Wednesday but two members of Coscolluela’s group managed to secure the  TRO , forcing the cancellation of the election.

The TRO was issued by the Makati Regional Trial Court upon the request of Jose Ma. Montilla and Clarafe Lanza, identified with Coscolluela’s group, sought an injunction from the Makati Regional Trial Court last Wednesday on the ground that they were excluded from the list of voters by a three-member panel composed of Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, Mitos Belofsky, and PSC Commissioner Akiko Thomson.  The three-man group approved 47 voters, leaving out seven from Coscolluela’s group.

The TRO, good for 20 days, will enable Cojuangco to stay as equestrian president.

FEI second vice president Christopher John Hodson, who flew all the way from New Zealand to attend the election, said the FEI will continue to recognize Cojuangco as EAP head but advised Cojuangco and Coscolluela to use the TRO period to discuss the selection of the voting group and reach an agreeable settlement.

Although disappointed with the TRO, Hodson expressed confidence the two groups would eventually reconcile.

"I’ve been able to both sides, and we can see a way forward. The order is 20 days. That gives both sides time to resolve the procedural issues which still remain a problem. I hope very much in that time they’ll be able to do so and report back to the FEI that efforts are being made," said Hodson.

Coscolluela, for her part, said the election list would be revised to include seven members of her group.