Vargas elected as PSI president

Sports patron Michael Vargas was elected president and two-time Olympian and champion athlete Eric Buhain was named secretary-general in the Philippine Swimming Inc. elections on Thursday at the East Ocean Seafood Restaurant in Parañaque City.

Also elected were vice president Jessi Arriola, treasurer Marie Dimanche and members of the board of trustees Cris Bancal, Angelica Leonardo, Roel Rosales, Ronald Talosig, Isagani Corpuz, Jessie Lacuna and Emmanuel Manialung.

The elections were conducted on orders of the World Aquatics, the sport's world governing body, and supervised by the Philippine Olympic Committee.

POC president Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino administered the oath of office of the newly-elected officers.

All officers and members of the board of trustees will serve in a transition period until regular elections under PSI's charter are held in 2025.

Vargas has been supporting Philippine swimming for years. He is the son of former POC and boxing association president Ricky Vargas, who also chairs the Philippine Basketball Association.

"We are looking forward to a unifying, inclusive and working organization," Vargas said.

"We have to help each other out for our swimmers and coaches."