NEW OFFICERS. Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino (right) swears into office the new Philippine Tennis Association officers, led by Parañaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez (to Tolentino's right), after the election at the Century Park Hotel in Manila on Dec. 11, 2023. Also in the photo are (from left) Board members Gerardo Alcala, Theodore Jose Matta, Jean Henri Lhuillier, and Theodore Dy. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has lifted the three-year suspension of the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA).
The holding of the PHILTA election on Dec. 11, 2023 paved the way for the lifting of the suspension, which prevented the country from competing in team competitions such as the Davis Cup (men), Fed Cup (women).
Parañaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez won as president during the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC)-supervised election at Century Park Hotel in Manila.
Also elected were Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino (vice president), Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco (secretary general), Calabarzon’s Gerardo Alcala (treasurer) and Mimaropa’s Theodore Jose Matta (internal auditor).
The other members of the board voted independently by their respective regions were Franzes Khu Camacho (Bicol), Theodore Dy (Western Visayas), Elmaerwin Sibucao (Ilocos), Gilbert Paylado (Mindanao), Dickerson Laruan (Cordillera Autonomous Region), Cagayan Valley’s Fernando Silapan (Cagayan Valley), Joile Mondragon (Eastern Visayas), Jean Henri Lhuillier (Central Visayas), and Dyan Castillejo and April Toledo for Gender Equity.
"I am pleased to confirm that the ITF Board of Directors has decided to lift the suspension of the Philippine Tennis Association pending the receipt of the 2024 ITF Subscription Fees, in accordance with Article 5 of the ITF Constitution," ITF President David Haggerty said in a signed letter dated Jan. 21, 2024 and emailed to POC President Abraham Tolentino.
The letter stated that upon payment, "PHILTA will be considered an active member of the ITF with its full rights restored".
"It will be a pleasure to welcome PHILTA to active membership," Haggerty said.
"I would like to thank you and your team, particularly Mr. Ramon Suzara, for your proactive approach to resolving PHILTA's governing issues, in accordance with our shared values of good governance, transparency, and accountability," he added.
Suzara, who heads the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, was appointed by the POC as PHILTA caretaker.
Haggerty described PHILTA's return to active membership as "a significant moment for tennis in the Philippines and the Asian region".
"The ITF is highly motivated to support PHILTA in its efforts to develop, grow and promote the sport in the coming years," he said.
In December 2020, the ITF suspended PHILTA, which was seen as an exclusive membership organization and without regional representation, due to governance issues.
Last year's election saw 158 clubs nationwide apply for PHILTA membership, with 119 getting approval from the election committee headed by POC secretary-general Wharton Chan, with deputy legal officer Billy Sumagui and deputy secretary-general Carl Sambrano as members. (PNA)
