Nikki Coseteng tells Pasa chief Mark Joseph: Step down

MANILA — Altough disappointed at the way the Philippine Olympic Committee handled the issues against Mark Joseph, the swimming group backed by former Senator Nikki Coseteng yesterday reiterated its call for the embattled Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (Pasa) chief to resign.

Speaking at the PSA Forum, Coseteng again singled out Joseph for the way he has run Pasa aside from accusing him of alleged fund misuse, a case which has now been elevated to the Office of the Ombudsman.

“It’s not actually our job to remove Mark Joseph,” said Coseteng. “But if he has the dignity then he should step down.

She added: “I’m not interested in his position. I’m only doing this for our young swimmers.”

Coseteng, president of the Diliman Prep School, has linked up with a group that has sought the ouster of Joseph.

Joseph has also been accused by Coseteng of money laundering together with former Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corp. chief Efraim Genuino, for allegedly shelling out more than P34 million to Pasa from December of 2007 up to January of 2009.

Coseteng alleged that the money eventually went to the Genuino-owned Trace College and Aquatic Center in Los Baños, Laguna.

Former national swimmer Susan Papa, who heads the Philippine Swimming League being backed by Coseteng, said the POC should not turn a blind eye on the case of Joseph.

“Will they just close their eyes on this? Well, I can’t. It’s very easy to address this issue but why isn’t anyone taking action?” asked Papa, who was also at the forum backed by Accel, Smart, Outlast Battery and Pagcor.

“Resignation is voluntary. We cannot forge a signature for somebody,” Coseteng added.