ASAP willing to work with swim body but...

MANILA, Philippines - Despite its differences with the Philippine Aquatics Sports Association or PASA, the Aquatic Sports Association of the Philippines (ASAP) is not exactly closing the door on working hand on hand with the country’s national sports association for the sport.

But officials of the swimming group said PASA should first clean its act under president Mark Joseph, whose recent election for a second term has been branded by them as a sham.

“Sure, why not. We’re open to that,” said ASAP vice-president Jane Ong, when asked about it at the PSA Forum yesterday.

“But they should fix the PASA election first,” she added, questioning the PASA election held two weeks ago in Cebu City, which they said Joseph called only two days before the date instead of the customary 15-day notice.

Joseph was also invited in the weekly session presented by Outlast Battery, Pagcor, Accel and Shakey’s, but said he wasn’t available as he was out of town for the national elections.

Besides, he added in a text message, “ASAP is not affiliated with PASA in any way.”

But Ong, accompanied by her sister Susana Berino, parent of Palaro swim standout Gian, insisted ASAP members were once part of PASA.

 “But Mark Joseph didn’t renew our membership when we started making noise opposing his leadership,” said Ong. “We are stakeholders of Philippine swimming as well.”

Ong also said that no time and place of the PASA election were previously announced and that there were no legitimate regional presidents to elect a board of trustees.

At present, Ong said her group is in the process of bonding together with other troubled National Sports Associations (NSAs) and is planning to elevate their case before the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) General Assembly.