Mindanaotoday.com | Hard work starts now for new PFF President
By: Jack Biantan
CAGAYAN de Oro City – I have never doubted the intentions of the newly elected Philippine Football Federation (PFF) President John Gutierrez when he decided to run for the top spot of the country’s Football Association early this year.
He was the first to declare his bid for the PFF top spot among the three other contenders. As early as February this year he had already made his plans to run.
I knew about his intentions in running for the PFF top spot in March 12 during the 45-Above National Champion in Iligan City. I did not meet him because I came late.
Anyway, my Bosconian football brothers Ake Pastoral, and Alvin Carranza introduced me to the future PFF President and they arranged a meeting during the Del Monte Cup last May 20 at Camp Philips in Bukidnon.
It was there that I met John for the first time. We had a long talk and he told me his vision and plans for Philippine football. His plans were impressive and he has the experience, people and the resources to make it work.
He brought with him from Manila hundreds of footballs and futsal balls to be given to the winners of the Del Monte Cup. He also donated five footballs, and futsal balls for my Lumbia Football Club. From then on, I decided to support him.
I am a simple man with simple needs. I did not even ask him directly for the balls but just told him that the current PFF administration has been in power for more than 10 years but they have not given me a single ball. I asked the former PFF secretary general for balls but those requests have fallen on deaf ears.
Immediately, he promised to give me balls. He then ushered me to a pickup truck filled up with footballs and futsal balls. He then handled me five of each. I was so thankful and wanted to cry. I then wished that John would become the next PFF President.
The other two football personalities Henry Zabate from Davao and Filbert Alquiros of Stallion FC ran against Gutierrez. I tried to get in touch with Zabate and Alquiros and asked for their program in case they win as PFF President. Unfortunately, they never answered my messages.
Zabate got three votes while Alquiros two and Gutierrez ran away with the PFF top position via landslide with 31 votes out of the 36 voting delegates from local FA’s, professional clubs and various representatives from the Philippine football community.
Gutierrez deserves to win the election. His was relentless during the campaign. He was the only candidate who travelled the entire archipelago to court the different FA Presidents for their votes. That is why these Presidents were convinced that he is the right man for the job.
Gutierrez will officially start his job by January. Today and the entire month of December will be the planing stage. The new PFF President will hold meetings with the PFF current staff and other football stockholders to plan for what is best for football the next four years and the hard work starts now.
Other elected PFF officials with four years term.
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