Joseph set to retire

Controversial and reclusive Philippine Swimming Inc. (PSI) president Mark Joseph said the other day he’s ready to retire from his position and hand over the baton to someone else who can continue his fight against government intervention in sports.

But before stepping down, Joseph said he wants to re-establish certain principles that will protect the Philippines from suspension by the IOC. It’s a legacy that Joseph wants to leave behind once he relinquishes the PSI presidency. 

“I have only one agenda and that is reform and renewal,” he said. “I have no personal interest and nothing to gain.” Joseph said because of government interference in the affairs of autonomous NSAs, the Philippines is on the verge of being suspended or expelled by the IOC. He singled out the Philippine Swimming League (PSL), led by former Sen. Nikki Coseteng, as an organization that has refused to join the PSI and defied its authority as the POC-sanctioned NSA for the sport.

“Why is the PSC favoring these people over the interest of all?” he wondered. “We are more than a travel agency that sends people with flags on their jacket abroad. Our goals are stated in the Olympic Charter, broad and focused on complete human development. Swimming is a womb to tomb vocation for everyone to participate in. Government cannot force anybody to do something they don’t like doing.”

Joseph stressed that the PSI’s role is to protect the interest of all the members of the federation. “We wouldn’t even know the names of whom else to protect if they don’t even apply and meet membership requirements,” he said. “When did common sense die? Can you play golf with a ghost or against a ghost NGO? We are not that because we are the object of the law as NSAs, not subjects or slaves of the PSC or any of its officials with whatever agenda or lack thereof. We are the people of the Philippines and represent them in the Olympic movement. Not any other group.”

Joseph said FINA, the international swimming federation, knows of the situation in the Philippines. “We belong to them, not the PSC,” he said. “The PSC belongs to us Filipinos and hence, we call its bluff and call it to behave and stop pretending and scapegoating us for their failures. They should do their job and fund NSAs without making it seem like a debt of gratitude. They are paid public servants. And if anybody reads the law, one can see what the limits of supervision and visitorial powers are being abused as they have been. They never even visited us in all the 12 years I’ve been president. They are invited anytime nonetheless. In fact, we demand it because we are Filipinos and that is their job. But all visitation talk in media is like a haunted house in a sidewalk fair with a barker wearing a wig.”

Joseph said an agenda for reform and renewal is internal to Olympic parties. “If any Filipino applies and becomes a member of the PSI, after meeting requirements and approved by the PSI members, they can participate in anything, anywhere they can with the protection of the Olympic parties,” he continued. “Presently, we have pledged cooperation with our colleagues in the Olympic movement and a management committee formed with Mr. Frank Elizalde in oversight. Can you imagine how much better things are if we are left to be what we are? Autonomous and self-regulating as we have been since 1928. Our performance as NSAs has suffered because of ignorance of the Olympic movement by government that thinks it can do anything it wants just because it says so. Sorry, it’s not true but that’s not the point I’m getting to.”

Joseph said beyond reform and renewal, he’s looking forward to rest and recreation – retirement in all species. “I invite Sen. Coseteng and Madame (Susan) Papa (PSL president) to join me and leave everybody in peace instead of pieces,” he said. “The PSC should just fund the reform and renewal part. Fund the athletes to perform for the nation and do their job of collecting all the gambling money to do so for all sports. And if they want to violate the law by giving money to recipients not eligible, as they have in the past, then they end up in jail. All that grassroots mumbo jumbo does not need government money. It’s voluntary for moms and pops to pay for their kids to learn to swim and join meets. All over the world. To divorce grassroots from the Olympic movement by virtue of a shotgun marriage is as smart as killing the poor if they become addicts. All this old stupid rigamarole could be avoided if people admit their powerlessness over sports. It’s all about being a good sport and fair play.”

Joseph said he will convene a national congress soon. “It will be peaceful or it will never be convened,” he said. “My willingness to do right without compromising the True Right stands. I will fight all attempts to violate rights by anybody of anybody until my successor is duly elected and qualified or recognized by the POC and FINA. Until then, a good mother and volunteer peacemaker who performs miracles is Officer In Charge of PSI and in close cooperation, coordination and collaboration with FINA and POC. This can be short and sweet or long and drawn out. It depends how fast we learn and we better hurry because change is coming and competition has already long overtaken us while common sense is being killed in the streets.”