Swimming chief Mark Joseph refuses to give up post

MANILA, Philippines – Swimming chief Mark Joseph refused on Wednesday to quit the presidency of the Philippine Aquatic Sports Association (PASA), saying those calling for his resignation were not even members of the federation.

Asked by a swimming group backed by former Sen. Nikki Coseteng to step down, Joseph dismissed the call for resignation as a campaign to take over Philippine swimming.

“Why should I resign? Ms. Coseteng says I should do it out of dignity. This seems to be another one of her platitudes,” said Joseph.

Coseteng questioned the way Joseph has run PASA aside from accusing him of fund misuse in a case already elevated to the Office of the Ombudsman.

Joseph was charged with money laundering together with former Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) chief Efraim Genuino, for allegedly shelling out more than P34 million to PASA from December 2007 to January 2009.

“I have yet to see the particulars of any case filed against me. And on the day that I do, this will be addressed by my lawyers in the proper forum,” said Joseph.

He said Coseteng’s call for resignation has been in sharp contrast to the support and encouragement he has constantly received from the members of the legitimate swimming community.

Joseph also snapped at Philippine Swimming League head Susan Papa for joining Coseteng in criticizing him, saying Papa herself has been facing several charges in Muntinlupa City.  Among the cases, according to Joseph, are frustrated homicide, obstruction of justice and destruction of public documents.

The deputy secretary general of the Philippine Olympic Committee pointed out that Papa’s group has been coddling swimming coach Joey Andaya, who was convicted in four criminal cases in Naga City for molesting his boy swimmers.

“Someone powerful is keeping him out of jail. Should a school not be required to do a background check? Or, tell parents that their children are being coached by someone with background like that?” said Joseph.

“We should leave this matter in the hands of Ms. Coseteng. I think she should look in her own backyard before impulsively pointing her finger at me all the time for what she imagines to be the woes of Philippine swimming,” added Joseph.

According to Joseph, Andaya continues to roam free and teach swimming lessons under the PSL-ASAP program despite the prison sentence of eight years and eight months handed by Judge Rosita Lalwani of Branch 28 of the Naga RTC.

“Meanwhile, Philippine swimming will continue to slowly but surely prosper, in spite of my leadership,” said Joseph. “After all, I am but one member, and there are thousands of us, with many more capable leaders than Coseteng already taking the lead in their own areas of responsibility, regardless of the personal agenda Ms. Coseteng and the others have to take over Philippine swimming,” he added.