MANILA, Philippines?Philippine Amateur Swimming Association president Mark Joseph finally broke his silence Thursday and denied the accusations thrown at him by a group of parents of swimmers, particularly the charge of ?serious decline? in the sport.

In an e-mail sent to sportswriters from Athens, Greece, Joseph emphasized that swimming has the most number of Olympic qualifiers for the Beijing 2008 Games in Ryan Arabejo, Miguel Molina, JB Walsh, Daniel Coakley and Christel Simms.

Joseph, however, failed to address the question of the elections of a number of PASA regional directors which the parents claimed should have been held two months after he formally took reins in the PASA in 2005.

The parents said it was a condition in the agreement made by Joseph and his predecessor Monchito Ilagan.

Joseph noted the increase in the number of local swimming competitions, including those organized by PASA partners like the Department of Education, UAAP, NCAA and Prisaa, which he said met PASA and FINA (international swimming federation) standards.

?There are no more swim meets run by individuals to pocket entry fees, that do not give the awards they state in their invitations, or that allow over-aged swimmers and even those that force parents to purchase raffle tickets, giving them a false sense of competition,? he said.

Joseph, who is currently representing the Philippines at the 9th Joint Session of National Olympic Committee and National Olympic Association Officers, said that he has been carrying out his duties the best he can but that ?you can?t please everybody.?

?What more can I do? At times, it means some people will not get what they want, when they want it or in some cases?never get what they want. This is because I do my job with the greater good in mind,? he added.

?I will not sacrifice the integrity of PASA, or my own by accommodating the requests for special treatment that the few demand. Rules are rules, and I have no doubt that whoever succeeds me as PASA president will continue to run PASA according to the rules, rather than (bow to) the demands of prima donnas and scofflaws.?

But the PASA chief said he?s still willing to reach out to the complainants and address their concerns once he comes back this weekend.