At A Glance
- Manalo is taking the post left by Robbie Puno, who will then take the role as the federation chairman after former ABAP chief Ricky Vargas, who is also the chef de mission for Team Philippines in the 2028 LA Olympics and the president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, decided to step aside.
The Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines has elected its new president in its former secretary-general Marcus Manalo, the federation announced on Thursday, Feb. 5.
Manalo is taking the post left by Robbie Puno, who will then take the role as the federation chairman after former ABAP chief Ricky Vargas, who is also the chef de mission for Team Philippines in the 2028 LA Olympics and the president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, decided to step aside.
Vargas, though, will remain part of the federation as its honorary chairman.
“I am deeply honored and humbled by the trust the Board has given me,” Manalo said in a statement.
“The Philippines has a proud and storied boxing tradition so the pressure to deliver is always high. But with our passionate and dedicated Board of Trustees and Regional Representatives, I am confident that we can further improve our programs.,” he added.
Also named in the Board of Trustees during the Annual Meeting and Elections at the Meralco Building in Ortigas are former congressman Raul Daza as vice chairman and current Philippine Aquatics president Michael Angelo Vargas as the vice president.
Interestingly, now part of the ABAP board is current San Miguel Corporation Sports Director Alfrancis Chua along with Meralco SVP Atty. Arnel Casanova, VCC-MAK Ventures Inc. President Mark Burgos, and former DepEd Assistant Secretary Atty. Emilio Jose Abelita Jr.
Two-time Olympic medalist Nesthy Petecio is also taking a bigger role at ABAP as part of the board alongside former Cagayan de Oro Mayor Oscar Moreno, and former Baguio City Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr.
“Congratulations to the newly elected Board of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines!” said Vargas.
“This diverse group of experienced leaders and new voices shares a clear vision: building a sustainable national pool of boxing talent through robust grassroots programs,” he furthered.