New swimming by-laws almost 85% complete — Atty. Wharton Chan

A new constitution and by-laws for soon to be formed new Philippine swimming association is expected to be submitted next month to World Aquatics (formerly FINA) for final approval.

Lawyer Wharton Chan, who was designated head of FINA three-member Stabilization Committee, revealed that, despite, time constraint due to long Holidays, the drafted constitution and by-laws for a new swimming federation is almost complete and expected to be transmitted to WA in the first week of February.

“I already drafted the constitutions and by-laws; we based it to FINA’s rules and regulation. I think almost 85% na. Once completed, immediately ita-transmit na namin ito sa FINA for final approval para diretso na at hindi na kami babalik sa kanila,” said Chan in an interview over mobile phone.

“Medyo naging mahaba ang holidays at yung meeting namin sa committee lahat through Zoom. But we must fast track everything para maayos na natin ito and after the FINA approval makapagpatawag na tayo ng election,” said Chan, referring to two other members of the committee POC Deputy Secretary General Bones Floro of golf and Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) Senior Vice President Arrey Perez.

FINA on it’s December 15 memorandum withdrawing its recognition to Philippine Swimming, Inc. (PSI) and instructing the stabilization committee to temporarily run the day-to-day functions of Philippine swimming while amending its by-laws so an election must be called.

Last December 3, FINA sent a first memorandum signed by Executive Director Brett Nowicki withdrawing the recognition to PSI Board headed by its president Lani Velasco duo to various complaints regarding “concerning matters of inter alia poor governance principles”.

Under FINA memo, the stabilization committee has six months to form a new swimming federation for Philippines through a fair and honest election.

“Sa ginawa kong draft, klaro na kasali ang lahat ng stakeholders, hindi exclusive na siyang ipinatupad ng PSI before. Now, all the legitimate members of the swimming community kasali, natukoy na namin sila at ito ang binigyan diin namin sa constitution and by-laws,” added Chan.

Chan said the committee received various suggestions including a call for a ‘Swimming Summit’ to hear all voices from the ground, but all depends on FINA’s approval on the draft by-laws.

“Maraming suggestion na ganyan, pero right now hindi namin masabi kung kailangan pa nga. Once, FINA approved the by-laws, we will announce right away,” said Chan, also serving as legal counsel for the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).