BOTH camps are confident that when the Philippine Olympic Committee elections end today, their standard-bearers will raise their arms in triumph and start plotting the course of Philippine sports for the next four years that will culminate with the 2010 London Olympics.

Incumbent POC president Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco’s camp yesterday predicted a big win, convinced it has the support of 21 to 24 voting members. Shooting chief Art Macapagal’s camp insisted otherwise, saying they have the numbers needed to take charge of the affairs of Philippine sports.

A total of 39 National Sports Associations will be represented today in the elections to be held at the Alabang Golf and Country Club in Muntinlupa City, with the 40th vote to be cast by the International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Frank Elizalde.

Aside from the presidency, also to be decided are the posts of chairman, first and second vice presidents, treasurer, auditor and the members of the Executive Board. Whoever wins as president will appoint the secretary-general.

Before the elections can be held, however, several issues will have to be resolved, like who among the NSA officials are qualified to vote and be voted upon. There is also the threat of a temporary restraining order being sought by the archery board to prevent National Archery Association of the Philippines president Leonora Brawner, who is running as director under Cojuangco’s ticket, from casting her vote.

Running under Cojuangco’s ticket are boxing president Manny Lopez for first vice president, Mario Tanchangco (second VP), Julian Camacho for treasurer and Sultan Jamalul Kiram for auditor.

Macapagal’s running mates are chess association secretary-general and Tagaytay City Mayor Abraham Tolentino, who is bidding for the first vice presidency; football secretary-general Pablito Araneta (second VP), squash president Romeo Ribano (treasurer), traditional boat race secretary-general Judith Hakim (auditor), and taekwondo president Robert Aventajado (chairman).

The POC Comelec is chaired by former congressman Victorico Chavez, principal author of the law that created the Philippine Sports Commission, with Ricky Palou of Ateneo and Bernie Oca of La Salle as members.

Macapagal plans to "institutionalize a long-term Olympic Gold" program aimed at the 2012 London Olympics and beyond, promote the Olympic goal of making sports contribute to the "harmonious development" of a person, promote Good Governance and Effective Management in the POC, promote education and public awareness of the Olympic Movement in accordance with the IOC mandate and uplift International Image and goodwill.

Cojuangco, 74, a former Tarlac congressman who won the POC presidency by acclamation in 2004, intends to finish what he has started and has come up with big projects in the drawing board, including the construction of a modern sports complex in Clark and a steady source of funding for Filipino athletes.

"I thought of running again because there are important things that still need to be done and I think I’m the one who can do it," Cojuangco said. "I if would not be able to complete the projects, at the very least, we will put it in that stage na siguradong malapit na matapos."

Macapagal said he decided to seek the presidency after Filipino athletes failed to win a medal of any color in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.