Codiñera strikes out Rivera in s’ball coup

Filomeno "Boy" Codiñera was sworn in as new president of the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines yesterday in lieu of Atty. Rolando Rivera, who recently came under fire from majority of the Asaphil board members due to allegations of "human trafficking" and misappropriation of public funds."

Codiñera was sworn in by former Asaphil president and ASEAN softball association head Mario Raymundo, and will bring with him his vast experience as a former member of the national team and Asaphil vice president for Luzon when he serves out the remainder of Rivera’s term until next year.

Aside from Codiñera, a retired police officer, also taking their oath of office at the Medalla Room of the Philippine Sports Commission administrative building were Gregorio Gimena as vice president for the Visayas, Boy Sarabia for Mindanao, Jigs Bueta as secretary general, Vic Sta. Ana as treasurer and Maj. Alan Arrojado as auditor.

Codiñera will also act as concurrent vice president for Luzon until a replacement is named while Rivera was named ex-officio member of the board, being a former president, with no voting power.

Rivera, who was elected president in 1998, did not attend yesterday‘s induction along with three other Asaphil officials — former secretary general Kiko Francisco, Mindanao vice president Luis Climaco, who is running for a congressional seat in Zamboanga, and executive vice president Virgilio Madraso.

"It was illegal because they did not even inform the secretary general. And in regards to their allegations, I have already submitted my papers to the arbitration committee of the POC. We must let the POC decide on whether I’m guilty or not. If proven guilty, I will not cling on this position," said Rivera yesterday.

The POC was not represented in yesterday‘s induction although Codiñera sees no problem with that.

"Walang problema with the POC. Maybe they’re just too busy attending to more important matters because in fact Mr. Raymundo has been in constant touch with POC president Celso Dayrit regarding this matter," said Codinera.