Philippine Aquatics Incorporated is the national governing body of aquatic sports in the Philippines. It oversees swimming, diving, and water polo. The organization is accredited by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) since October 2023.
| Sport | Aquatics |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | National |
| Founded | 2023 |
| Affiliation | World Aquatics |
| President | Michael Vargas |
| Secretary | Eric Buhain |
| Replaced | Philippine Swimming Inc. |
| Official website | |
| www | |
 | |
Previously Philippine Swimming Inc. (PSI) was the national governing body. PSI was formerly accredited by World Aquatics until December 22, 2022, when the international swimming body revoked its recognition.
History
editAs Philippine Swimming Inc.
editPhilippine Swimming Incorporated (PSI) was formerly known as the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA).
Around the early 2000s, PASA was led by president Monchito Ilagan who was elected in 2002.[1] In 2004, a leadership crisis arose after Mark Joseph claimed the presidency in an election.[2]
Joseph era
editThe Philippine Olympic Committee affirmed the installation of Joseph as PASA president in 2005 as a result of an alleged agreement between him and Ilagan.[3] This includes the holding of an election within 90 days.[4] Election was claimed to have occurred in 2005[5] or 2006.[4]
PASA achieved feats under Joseph, qualifying five swimmers for the 2008 Summer Olympics. In the 2007 Southeast Asian Games the country won eight gold medals.[6] However Joseph's administration also had further controversies. The federation often came into conflict with the Philippine Swimming League (PSL) of Nikki Coseteng and Susan Papa and Joseph faced graft allegations involving the disbursement of government funds.[7]
Joseph would head abroad over health concerns, with his secretary general Lani Velasco taking over as Officer in Charge.[7] She would get elected as president after an election sanctioned by the Philippine Olympic Committee in February 2018.[8]
Velasco era
editUnder Velasco, swimmers from rival group PSL, were able to take part in the PSI sanctioned 2019 PSI Grand Prix.[9] The Philippines would end its gold medal drought at the Southeast Asian Games since 2009, with a medal by James Deiparine in the 2019 edition hosted at home.[10][11] Velasco would win a new four-year term in April 2022.[12]
Revocation of PSI's recognition
editOn December 3, 2022, the FINA revoked its recognition of the membership board of the PSI, and instituted a stabilization committee in its place after accruing several complaints over its governance.[13] On December 15, FINA, now known as World Aquatics, withdrew recognition of the PSI itself. The stabilization committee is set to recommend a new federation to replace the PSI.[14]
Transition team
editOn June 8, 2023, a new set of officials were elected for the PSI, with Michael Vargas as transitional president. The original officials would protest against the election which they view as a violation of the organization's amended by-laws.[15] World Aquatics would recognize the results of the election.[16]
Formation of Philippine Aquatics
editPhilippine Aquatics was formed PSI's place which was recognized as a member of the Philippine Olympic Committee in October 2023.[17]
Presidents
edit- Presidents of PSI
- Monchito Ilagan (2002–2005[a])
- Mark Joseph (2005–2018)
- Lani Velasco (2018–2023)
- Michael Vargas (2023)
- Presidents of Philippine Aquatics
- Michael Vargas (2023–)
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ Disputed from 2004; Mark Joseph recognized as Ilagan's successor in 2005
References
edit- ^ "Unfunded RP tankers make waves". The Philippine Star. September 15, 2003. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ "Ilagan denies POC body findings". The Philippine Star. March 9, 2005. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ "POC okays chess status, installs Mark swim head". The Philippine Star. March 31, 2005. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ a b Cordero, Abac (June 18, 2008). "POC defers decision on swim dispute". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ Cadayona, Russell (June 19, 2008). "POC kailangan nang magdesisyon sa gulo ng swimming" [POC needs to decide on swimming mess]. The Philippine Star (in Filipino). Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ Zarate, Noel (December 30, 2019). "In memoriam: Sports personalities who left us in 2019". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ a b Ramos, Gerru (March 7, 2019). "Former swimming chief Mark Joseph dies 'peacefully in his sleep' age 56". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ "No pool, no problem for PH swimmers; labor of love for PSI head". Tempo. April 2, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ Tong, Aldo (April 17, 2019). "Small steps by Lani Velasco lead to giant leap for Philippine Swimming". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ Flores-Colina, Celest (December 4, 2019). "SEA Games: Deiparine clinches 1st swimming gold for PH in 10 years". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ Garcia, Maria Angelica (December 4, 2019). "SEA GAMES 2019: James Deiparine ends PHL's 10-year gold medal drought in swimming". GMA News Online. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ "Lani Velasco gets fresh mandate as PSI prexy". Tiebreaker Times. April 18, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ "FINA withdraws PSI recognition". The Manila Times. December 5, 2022. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ "World Aquatics withdraws recognition from Philippine swimming body". The Philippine Star. December 19, 2022. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
- ^ "Miko Vargas elected PSI president in 'transition year'". Tiebreaker Times. June 8, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ "World Aquatics recognizes Vargas, PSI officers". ABS-CBN News. June 20, 2023. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
- ^ Atencio, Peter (October 27, 2023). "Philippine Aquatics Inc. gets PH Olympic Committee approval". Manila Standard. Retrieved October 28, 2023.