The Philippine Olympic Committee Inc. (POC) is the National Olympic Committee of the Philippines.
The POC is a private, non-governmental organization composed of and serve as the mother organization of all National Sports Associations (NSAs) in the Philippines. It is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as having the sole authority for representation of the Philippines in the Olympic Games, the Asian Games, the Southeast Asian Games and other multi-event competitions.
The POC is financially independent and does not receive any subsidy from government, though its member NSAs receive some financial assistance from the Philippine Sports Commission. Instead, the POC supports its own activities with funds generated from sponsorships, licensing fees on the use of the Olympic marks, IOC subsidy and proceeds from special projects and donations.
History
The Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation was organized in a permanent basis in 1911 as a result of the gaining of foothold of athletics in the Philippine Islands which was caused by Organized sports was first introduced in the Philippines during the American administration of the islands with the establishment of the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation (PAAF) in January 1911. The PAAF organized the inaugural Far Eastern Championship Games in 1913 which was contested by China, Japan, and the host country, Philippines.
The first Filipino Olympian was David Nepomuceno, who participated in Athletics in the 100m and 200m sprints events at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. However, it was only in 1929 when the International Olympic Committee recognized the PAAF as the Philippines' National Olympic Committee. The recognition was a year after swimmer Teofilo Yldefonso won the Philippines' first Olympic medal—a bronze in the 200 meters breaststroke event at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam. In 1975 the PAAF was renamed to Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) after the establishment of the Department of Youth and Sports Development which effectively abolished the former.
The Philippine Olympic Committee has held office along with the Philippine Sports Commission at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex until the construction of the PhilSports Complex which became the headquarters of the two organizations.
In January 2023, amendments on leadership and composition of member national sports associations of the POC took effect.
Governance
Executive board The Philippine Olympic Committee is governed by its executive board, which composes the chairman, president, first and second vice president, secretary general, treasurer, auditor and the immediate past president. The executive board is also joined by four members elected by the board members and any IOC members present in the country. The executive board holds at least one meeting every month and makes valid acts if majority of its members are present which is seven or more person in all cases. Decisions by the POC are voted upon by the members of the executive board and in case of a tie, the chairman decides upon the matter concerned.
Commissions or committees are also organized by the POC. The Membership, Arbitration, Ethics, Technical, Ways and Means and Athlete's Commissions are the standing commissions of the POC. The creation of additional commissions are subject to approval by the executive board upon recommendation by the President. DesignationNameSportChairmanSteve HontiverosHandballPresidentAbraham TolentinoCyclingSecretary GeneralWharton ChanKickboxingVice PresidentsAl PanlilioBasketballRichard GomezFencingTreasurerCynthia CarrionGymnasticsAuditorJoaquin LoyzagaBaseballBoard membersDavid F. CarterJudoPearl Anne ManaguelodMuay ThaiJose Raul CanlasSurfingCharlie L. HoNetballImmediate Past PresidentVictorico VargasBoxingAthletes' CommissionNikko HuelgasTriathlonMembership Committee ChairAvelino SumaguiCycling
President
Ambrosio Padilla was the first president of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) serving from 1975 to 1976. Previously he served as president of the POC's predecessor, the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation from 1970 to 1975.
The president has the power to call a special meeting of the executive board upon a written request addressed to the secretary general. This privilege can also be invoke by the majority of the executive board. The president also recommends the creation of a new commission within the POC, as well as the appointment of each of the commission's chairman and members, and its duties, tasks, and authorities, all subject to the approval of the board.
Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation
William Cameron Forbes (1911–1916) Manuel L. Quezon (1916–1935) Jorge B. Vargas (1936–1955) Antonio de las Alas (1956–1968) Felipe Monserrat (1969–1970) Ambrosio Padilla (1970–1975)
Philippine Olympic Committee
Ambrosio Padilla (1975–1976) Nereo Andolong (1977–1980) Julian Malonso (1980; provisional) Michael Keon (1981–1984) Jose Sering (1985–1992) Rene Cruz (1993–1996) Cristy Ramos (1997–1999) Celso Dayrit (1999–2004) Jose Cojuangco Jr. (2005–2018) Victorico Vargas (2018–2019) Joey Romasanta (2019) Abraham Tolentino (2019–present)
International Olympic Committee members
Jorge Bartolomé Vargas (1936–1985) Francisco José Elizalde (1985–2012) Mikaela Cojuangco Jaworski (2013–present)
Members Sports associations that are members of the Philippine Olympic Committee are recognized as National Sports Associations (NSAs). There are two levels of memberships within the POC which is regular and associate. The POC also gives accreditation to recognize disciplines of sports.
Regular members +National FederationFoundedSummer or WinterHeadquartersWorld Archery Philippines1961SummerQuezon City, Metro ManilaPhilippine Athletics1962SummerManilaPhilippine Badminton Association1952SummerPasig, Metro ManilaPhilippine Amateur Baseball Association1954SummerManilaSamahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas2006SummerPasig, Metro ManilaBilliard Sports Confederation of the Philippines1987Non OlympicManilaPhilippine Bowling Federation2016Non OlympicTaguig, Metro ManilaAssociation of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines1977SummerManilaPhilippine Canoe-Kayak Federation No infoSummerTaytay, RizalNational Chess Federation of the Philippines2000SummerPasig, Metro ManilaIntegrated Cycling Federation of the Philippines No infoSummerTagaytay, CavitePhilippine Dancesport Federation2007Non OlympicPasig, Metro ManilaPhilippine Esports Organization2011Non OlympicMandaluyong, Metro ManilaEquestrian Association of the Philippines No infoSummer Makati, Metro Manila Philippine Fencing Association 1957 Summer Pasig, Metro ManilaPhilippine Football Federation 1907SummerPasig, Metro ManilaNational Golf Association of the Philippines 1961SummerPasig, Metro ManilaGymnastics Association of the Philippines 1962SummerManilaPhilippine Handball Federation 1990SummerPasig, Metro ManilaPhilippine Hockey Association2015SummerPasig, Metro ManilaFederation of Ice Hockey League2015WinterQuezon City, Metro ManilaPhilippine Skating Union 2004WinterMandaluyong, Metro ManilaJu-Jitsu Federation of the Philippines 2015Non OlympicMakati, Metro ManilaPhilippine Judo Federation No infoSummerManilaKarate Pilipinas Sports Federation No infoSummerPasig, Metro ManilaSamahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas No infoSummerPasay, Metro ManilaKurash Sports Federation of the Philippines No infoNon OlympicManilaPhilippine Lawn Bowls Association No infoNon OlympicAngeles City, PampangaPhilippine Modern Pentathlon Association No infoSummerMandaluyong, Metro ManilaMuaythai Association of the Philippines No infoNon OlympicPasig, Metro ManilaPhilippine Netball Federation 2014Non OlympicMetro ManilaPhilsilat Sports Association 2014Non OlympicManilaPhilippine Rowing Association No infoSummerQuezon City, Metro ManilaPhilippine Rugby Football Union 1998SummerMandaluyong, Metro ManilaPhilippine Sailing Association No infoSummerMakati, Metro ManilaPilipinas Sambo Federation 2015Non OlympicDavao City, Davao del SurPilipinas Sepak Takraw Association No infoNon OlympicPasig, Metro ManilaPhilippine National Shooting Association No infoSummerPasig, Metro ManilaSkateboarding and Roller Sports Association of the Philippines No infoSummerBacoor, CavitePhilippine Ski and Snowboard Federation No infoWinterBellflower, CaliforniaPhilippine Soft Tennis Association No infoSummerLas Piñas, Metro ManilaAmateur Softball Association of the Philippines No infoSummerMakati, Metro ManilaUnited Philippines Surfing Association No infoSummerMakati, Metro ManilaPhilippine Squash Academy 2014SummerMakati, Metro ManilaPhilippine Aquatics 2023SummerPasig, Metro ManilaPhilippine Table Tennis Federation 1951SummerManilaPhilippine Taekwondo Association 1976SummerManilaPhilippine Tennis Association 1920SummerManilaPhilippine Tournament Bridge Association 2000Non OlympicMakati, Metro ManilaTriathlon Association of the Philippines No infoSummerPasig, Metro ManilaPhilippine National Volleyball Federation 2021SummerTaguig, Metro ManilaSamahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas No infoSummerManilaWrestling Association of the Philippines No infoSummerManilaWushu Federation of the Philippines 1987Non OlympicManila
Associate members
3D Air Sports and Hobbies Associations Philippine Cricket Association Philippine Duckpin Bowling Council Philippine Eskrima Kali Arnis Federation Philippine National Federation of Polo Players Philippine Underwater Hockey Confederation Pilipinas Obstacle Sports Federation Powerlifting Association of the Philippines Vovinam Philippines
Recognized members
American Tackle Football Federation of the Philippines Automobile Association Philippines Curling Winter Sports Association of the Philippines (Curling Pilipinas) National Motorcycle Sports and Safety Association of the Philippines Philippine Finswimming Federation Philippine Floorball Association Philippine National Rugby League Philippine Pole & Aerial Sports Association Philippine Windsurfing Association Tchoukball Association of the Philippines Wakeboard and Waterski Association of the Philippines World Sikaran Arnis Brotherhood of the Philippines
Membership
Application process Since February 2009, applicant National Sports Associations should have an official address and contact numbers (telephone, fax, email address) or official website and a directory of its officers and members, and a board resolution authorizing the signatory officer to apply for POC membership with an indication of the level of membership. Also it is required that a certificate of membership with the pertinent International Federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee which governs the sport of the applicant internationally to be submitted to the POC, unless the International Federation requires its members first to gain recognition from their National Olympic Committees. International Federation membership is required for regular membership. A notarized affidavit is also to be submitted which states that the applicant sports association is the only legitimate and governing body of their sport in the national level with the POC.
The prospect national sports association should also have organized at least two annual National Championships and present documenting evidences to the POC which includes duly certified applicants, results, photos, and relevant press releases. It is also required that articles be published in three major daily newspapers of general circulation which states that the applicant is seeking POC membership. A copy of the publication, as well as an affidavit of publication from the newspapers concerned to be presented to the POC. If there are many other sports bodies claiming to represent the same sport of the applicant in the Philippines, an objection to the application for membership of the applicant sports association must be presented before the POC Membership Commission within fifteen days from the date of publication.