MULING nahalal si dating Surigao del Sur Rep. Prospero “Butch” Pichay Jr. bilang president at chairman ng National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP).

Si Pichay, na kinikilala sa kanyang malaking kontribusyon sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng local chess sa nakalipas na 20 taon, ay nabigyan ng panibagong termino sa ika limang sunod na pagkakataon matapos ang halalan na ginanap sa East Ocean Palace sa Parañaque City nitong Sabado.

“It is an honor to be re-elected as the Chairman and President of the National Chess Federation of the Philippines (NCFP). I would like to thank the officers and members of NCFP for placing their trust and confidence in my abilities to lead this prestigious organization,” pahayag ni Pichay sa kanyang Facebook post.

Makakaasa ng tulong si Pichay mula sa mga bago at pamilyar na personisad sa kanyang 15-man NCFP Board.

Ang boxing legend at long-time chess patron na si Manny Pacquiao ay nahalal din bilang isa sa tatlong vice presidents kasama nina Cavite vice governor Athena Tolentino at Atty. Ruel Canobas.

Bagamat hindi nakadalo sa halalan, sumang-ayon naman si Pacquiao sa kanyang pagkakahirang.

Si Tolentino ay anak ni Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, na dumalo bilang observer sa halalan kasama ni POC deputy secretary-general and skateboarding head Carl Sambrano.

Ang iba pang mga naluklok sa pwesto ay sina Marino partylist Rep. Carlo Sandro Gonzalez (secretary-general), Malolos City Mayor Atty. Christian Natividad (treasurer), Judge Gonzalo Mapili (auditor), Engr. Luisito Ramos (finance chair), former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares (youth development chair), NM/ Atty. Cresencio “Cris” Aspiras (ratings and titles chair), at Jose Rafael Legaspi, Jonas Silvano, Engr. Rey Urbiztondo, Martin “Binky” Gaticales and Dapitan City Mayor Seth Frederick “Bullet” Jalosjos bilang directors.