It has come to our attention that FINA sent Bureau member Mr. Taha Al-Kishry to the Philippines to investigate our federation, the Philippine Swimming, Inc. or PSI, on supposed poor governance principles within the organization as suggested by "various complaints."  On 22 November 2022, PSI President Ms. Lailani M. Velasco met with Mr. Al-Kishry at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in BGC, Taguig City as part of the supposed investigation.  However, instead of having a full discussion on the subject matter of the complaints as stated in the letter of FINA Executive Director Mr. Brent Nowicki dated 28 November 2022, Mr. Al-Kishry simply urged Ms. Velasco to resign from her post forthwith.  To our knowledge, Mr. Al-Kishry did not discuss the subject matter of the alleged complaints nor did he reveal the personalities behind the same.
 
Therefore, we, members of PSI, view with grave concern the manner and conduct of Mr. Al-Kishry’s investigation of our national federation.  Requirements of due process, fairness and equity demand that, at the very least, PSI be given the opportunity to respond to the charges lodged before FINA.  This principle is consistent with the FINA Constitution itself which states that before any sanction or decision is meted out, the member federation must be given an opportunity to exercise the right to be heard (C.12.9).  
 
We understand that Mr. Al-Kishry’s findings were presented to the FINA Bureau and the said body ruled that there is basis to warrant the appointment of a stabilization committee to manage the affairs of PSI.  However, in light of the manner in which Mr. Al-Kishry conducted his investigation, we are concerned that the findings that were presented to FINA were not an accurate picture of the true state of Philippine Swimming.  Hence, we are issuing this manifestation of support to the leadership of Ms. Velasco and the Board of Trustees of PSI.  

There is no truth to the allegation that PSI exercised poor governance principles in managing the affairs of the organization. On the contrary, just recently, PSI’s books of accounts passed scrutiny from our government's Commission on Audit.  Further, PSI's grassroots program has yielded 92 swimmers which represent the biggest contingent to be sent to the annual Southeast Asian Age Group Swimming Championships which is slated for next week (December 17-19) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Likewise, momentum is building for our country’s participation at the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games, and the FINA World Championships in 2023 especially considering the possible debut of Ms. Kayla Sanchez for the Philippines.  It is our fear that, far from offering stability, the appointment of a stabilization committee at this time will only undermine these painstaking efforts to uplift Philippine Swimming and may even derail any progress the sport has achieved in these tough times.

We have affixed our signatures on this petition and humbly request the FINA Bureau to reinstate Ms. Velasco and the Board of Trustees to ensure the continuity of PSI's programs. We also ask that PSI and its Board of Trustees be given access to the complaints that were filed and the opportunity to respond to the same in accordance with the FINA Constitution.