Buhain named PSC chairman

President Arroyo named yesterday Filipino champion swimmer Eric Buhain as the new chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) replacing Carlos "Butch" Tuason who resigned last week.

Presidential spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao announced yesterday Buhain was the "personal choice" of President Arroyo to lead the controversy-rocked PSC.

"He (Buhain) is the choice of the President," Tiglao said.

"The resignation of Tuason was accepted (by the President)," Tiglao said.

Tiglao said he is not aware as to the basis of the President’s choice of Buhain except, citing the incoming PSC chairman brought honor to the Philippines for winning in various international swimming competitions.

He also could not say who recommended to the President to appoint Buhain to the PSC top post.

Palace sources though told The STAR Buhain has strong backers at the Palace with no less than his father-in-law, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Eduardo Ermita. Buhain is married to Ermita’s daughter Aileen who is elected Congresswoman from Batangas.

In an exclusive interview with The STAR, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Avelino "Nonong" Cruz disclosed the President signed the appointment paper of Buhain yesterday as the new PSC chairman.

This was after, Cruz said, he and Tuason talked last Tuesday after the latter officially announced having tendered to the President his resignation last week.

Cruz hinted that there will still be changes at the PSC with the exit of Tuason.

Former Asian sprint queen Lydia de Vega is considered the top contender for the position of commissioner.

A Palace source said the other two commissioners -- Richie Garcia and Amparo "Weena" Lim -- will eventually be replaced even if they decide not to resign.

The only appointee of President Arroyo at the PSC is her best friend and classmate, PSC commissioner Cynthia Carrion.

In his press conference the other day, Tuason explained he decided to resign "to end once and for all the intrigues" thrown at his first cousin, First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, husband of President Arroyo.

"Butch told me he resigned because he wants to give the President a free hand in the PSC and that controversies regarding him as a family member will not get into the way of the PSC in its preparations for this year’s Asian Games," Cruz said.

Also, Cruz said, Tuason expressed concern that the intrigues at the PSC regarding him might affect the preparations for the hosting by the Philippines of the 2005 South East Asian Games.

Cruz, who chairs the Malacañang "Search" Committee that conducts the vetting and screening process of all presidential appointees, cited the background and qualifications of Buhain to qualify him at his young age as PSC chairman.