# Eric Buhain

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Filipino swimmer

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In this [Filipino name](/source/Filipino_name), the [middle name](/source/Middle_name) or maternal  [family name](/source/Surname) is *Reyes* and the surname or paternal family name is *Buhain*.

Eric Buhain Official portrait, 2022 Member of the Philippine House of Representatives from Batangas' 1st district In office June 30, 2022 – June 30, 2025 Preceded by Eileen Ermita-Buhain Succeeded by Leandro Leviste Executive Director of the Bureau of Immigration In office March 15, 2010 – October 2010 President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Benigno Aquino III Chairman of the Games and Amusements Board In office June 8, 2005 – March 15, 2010 President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Succeeded by Juan Ramon Guanzon (OIC) 6th Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission In office January 23, 2002 – June 8, 2005 President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Preceded by Carlos Tuazon Succeeded by Butch Ramirez Personal details Born Joseph Eric Reyes Buhain (1970-04-12) April 12, 1970 (age 56) Manila, Philippines Party Nacionalista Spouse Eileen Ermita ​ (m. 1995)​ Education La Salle University (BS) De La Salle Zobel Sports career Country Philippines Sport Aquatics

**Eric Reyes Buhain**[1] (Tagalog: [\[buˈhaʔɪn\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/Tagalog);[2] born April 12, 1970)[3] is a Filipino former [competitive swimmer](/source/Swimming_(sport)) and politician who served as a [Member of the House of Representatives](/source/House_of_Representatives_of_the_Philippines) for [Batangas's 1st district](/source/Batangas's_1st_congressional_district) from 2022 to 2025.

He won several medals in the [Southeast Asian Games](/source/Southeast_Asian_Games) from [1985](/source/1985_Southeast_Asian_Games) to [1993](/source/1993_Southeast_Asian_Games), and participated in the [1988](/source/1988_Summer_Olympics) and [1992 Summer Olympics](/source/1992_Summer_Olympics). He later became a [sports administrator](/source/Sports_administrator). During the [Arroyo administration](/source/Presidency_of_Gloria_Macapagal_Arroyo), he served as chairman of the [Philippine Sports Commission](/source/Philippine_Sports_Commission), chairman of the [Games and Amusements Board](/source/Games_and_Amusements_Board), and an executive director of the [Bureau of Immigration](/source/Bureau_of_Immigration_(Philippines)).

## Career

### Competitive swimming

Eric ventured into swimming not because he dreamed of winning an Olympic gold medal, but because of his doctor's advice to improve his lungs. Eric was born with primary lung complex. He enrolled in a two-week swimming program at the age of seven. Yet his training was breached by another illness, [hepatitis](/source/Hepatitis). However, this didn't stop him; a year later he was training again and taking the advance course in swimming, the competitive course, at age nine. It was at this age that he got into the varsity swimming team of [De La Salle Santiago Zobel School](/source/De_La_Salle_Santiago_Zobel_School) and vowed to win a gold medal in the sport.

By 1981, he was a member of the Philippine Team and swam in the 400-meter individual medley at age eleven. But it was in his first [Southeast Asian Games](/source/Southeast_Asian_Games) in [1985](/source/1985_Southeast_Asian_Games), held in [Bangkok](/source/Bangkok), [Thailand](/source/Thailand), where he snatched the gold in the same category at the age of fifteen. He participated in the [1988 Summer Olympics](/source/1988_Summer_Olympics) and was also chosen as the country's flag bearer for the opening ceremonies.

In the [1989 Southeast Asian Games](/source/1989_Southeast_Asian_Games) in [Kuala Lumpur](/source/Kuala_Lumpur), [Malaysia](/source/Malaysia), Buhain broke one of the existing SEA Games swimming records. In the [1991 Southeast Asian Games](/source/1991_Southeast_Asian_Games), where the [Philippines](/source/Philippines) was the host, he made a huge contribution to the gold medal record of the host country by winning most of the events in swimming. He was chosen to represent the Philippines in the [1992 Summer Olympics](/source/1992_Summer_Olympics). He didn't win any medals in that sporting event.

Even though he won several gold medals in the [1993 Southeast Asian Games](/source/1993_Southeast_Asian_Games), Buhain decided to retire from his swimming career. He was disappointed by the poor government management that led to a mediocre performance of the Philippines team in that sporting event.

### Sports administration

Buhain spent his early career in sport administration as the national training director of the Philippine Amateur Swimming Association (PASA) and president of the Professional Swimming Coaches Academy of the Philippines (ProSCAP).[3]

On January 23, 2002, [President](/source/President_of_the_Philippines) [Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo](/source/Gloria_Macapagal_Arroyo) appointed Buhain as the chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission after learning of the Philippines poor international ranking in sports. He instituted reforms that led to protests by some commissioners and employees. In 2003, the Philippines increased its rank in the medal tally in the [Southeast Asian Games](/source/2003_Southeast_Asian_Games) and the country won several medals in the [2002 Asian Games](/source/2002_Asian_Games) after getting only a bronze medal in the [1998 Asian Games](/source/1998_Asian_Games).

Barely six months before the [2005 Southeast Asian Games](/source/2005_Southeast_Asian_Games), he was appointed by President Arroyo as the chairman of the [Games and Amusement Board](/source/Games_and_Amusements_Board) (GAB), a public agency that handles professional sporting and gambling events.

On March 15, 2010, he left the GAB when President Arroyo appointed him as a director of the [Bureau of Immigration](/source/Bureau_of_Immigration_(Philippines)).[4]

In 2023, Buhain was elected as general secretary of Philippine Swimming (later [Philippine Aquatics](/source/Philippine_Aquatics))[5][6][7]

### Politics

In the [2022 elections](/source/2022_Batangas_local_elections), Buhain is a candidate for [representative](/source/House_of_Representatives_of_the_Philippines) of [Batangas' 1st district](/source/Batangas's_1st_congressional_district), the seat his wife is scheduled to vacate. He ran against his sister-in-law, Lisa Ermita, and won.[8] He sought re-election in [2025](/source/2025_Batangas_local_elections), but lost to [Leandro Leviste](/source/Leandro_Leviste).[9] He is being implicated in the anomalous flood control projects in his district during his term.[10]

## Personal life

The oldest child of former [Bacoor](/source/Bacoor), [Cavite](/source/Cavite) municipal vice mayor Cecilia Reyes-Buhain, Buhain finished his elementary and secondary education at the [De La Salle Santiago Zobel School](/source/De_La_Salle_Santiago_Zobel_School) in [Ayala Alabang](/source/Ayala_Alabang). In 1991, he earned his [Bachelor of Science](/source/Bachelor_of_Science) degree in finance at [La Salle University](/source/La_Salle_University) in [Philadelphia](/source/Philadelphia), United States.[11]

Buhain is the husband of former [Representative](/source/House_of_Representatives_of_the_Philippines) [Eileen Ermita-Buhain](/source/Eileen_Ermita-Buhain) of the [1st district of Batangas](/source/Legislative_districts_of_Batangas#1st_District), and the son-in-law of former [Executive Secretary](/source/Executive_Secretary_(Philippines)) [Eduardo Ermita](/source/Eduardo_Ermita).

Buhain is the older sibling of Camille Buhain-Javier,[12] one of the three women-lawyers behind the Filipino [YouTube](/source/YouTube) channel, The Soshal Network.[13]

## Electoral history

Electoral history of Eric Buhain Year Office Party Votes received Result Total % P. Swing 2022 Representative (Batangas–1st) Nacionalista 143,705 45.29% 1st —N/a Won 2025 91,588 25.42% 2nd —N/a Lost

## Honors and awards

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (April 2022)

- [Philippine Sports Hall of Fame](/source/Philippine_Sports_Hall_of_Fame): 2021[14]

- [PSA Athlete of the Year](/source/PSA_Athlete_of_the_Year): 1987, 1991

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["2022 Elections: Buhain, Eric"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220412155552/https://ph.rappler.com/elections/2022/candidates/eric-reyes-buhain). *Rappler*. 2022. Archived from [the original](https://ph.rappler.com/elections/2022/candidates/eric-reyes-buhain) on April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 12, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Eric Buhain, nagbalik-tanaw"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVcf8JmkFjs). *People's Television Network* (in Tagalog). July 28, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Buhain_GAB_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Buhain_GAB_3-1) Buhain, Eric; Paglumotan, Alex; Bautista, Angel; Artugue, Ofelina (2006). ["Games and Amusements Board Manual of Operations 2006"](https://gab.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/GABManOfOps1.pdf) (PDF). *gab.gov.ph*. Games and Amusements Board. p. v. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190620005544/https://gab.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/GABManOfOps1.pdf) (PDF) from the original on June 20, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Buhain gets post in BID, leaves GAB"](https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/03/20/10/buhain-gets-post-bid-leaves-gab). *ABS-CBN News*. March 21, 2010. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200125170445/https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/03/20/10/buhain-gets-post-bid-leaves-gab) from the original on January 25, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Buhain leads reformed Philippine swimming body"](https://www.philstar.com/sports/2023/05/28/2269706/buhain-leads-reformed-philippine-swimming-body). *The Philippine Star*. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Vargas elected president, Buhain secretary-general of Philippine swimming body"](https://www.philstar.com/sports/2023/06/08/2272418/vargas-elected-president-buhain-secretary-general-philippine-swimming-body). *The Philippine Star*. 8 June 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Vargas, Buhain get fresh terms at Philippine Aquatics leadership"](https://www.philstar.com/sports/2026/04/14/2520934/vargas-buhain-get-fresh-terms-philippine-aquatics-leadership). *The Philippine Star*. 14 April 2026. Retrieved 14 April 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["PH swimming icon Eric Buhain to run for congressman in Batangas"](https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/10/02/21/ph-swimming-icon-eric-buhain-to-run-for-congressman). *ABS-CBN News*. October 2, 2021. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220311224735/https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/10/02/21/ph-swimming-icon-eric-buhain-to-run-for-congressman) from the original on March 11, 2022. Retrieved April 12, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Datu, Dennis (May 13, 2025). ["Legarda's son Leandro Leviste wins as Batangas rep"](https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/5/13/legarda-s-son-leandro-leviste-wins-as-batangas-rep-1755). *ABS-CBN News*. Retrieved June 17, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Gulla, Vivienne (August 28, 2025). ["'Bidding-biddingan: Leviste says ex-Batangas solon 'selected' winning bidders for DPWH projects"](https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/8/28/-bidding-biddingan-leviste-says-ex-batangas-solon-selected-winning-bidders-for-dpwh-projects-1519). *ABS-CBN*. Retrieved August 28, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-DLSAA_11-0)** ["Buhain, Eric R."](https://web.archive.org/web/20201129132237/https://www.dlsaa.com/honors-and-awards/awardees/buhain-eric-r) *dlsaa.com*. De La Salle Alumni Association. 21 September 2015. Archived from [the original](https://www.dlsaa.com/honors-and-awards/awardees/buhain-eric-r) on November 29, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Defensor, Tet (2023-01-16). ["The Soshal Network: Forever funny lawyers"](https://www.manilastandard.net/lifestyle/314296739/the-soshal-network-forever-funny-lawyers.html). *Manila Standard*. Retrieved 2023-02-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [*Bills, Bills, Bills sa Congress (Paano masali sa National Budget 🤣)*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eMN2x3PwPg), retrieved 2023-02-15

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Yumol, David Tristan (March 12, 2021). ["Jaworski, Muros lead 2021 PH Sports Hall of Fame class"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210321093726/https://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2021/3/12/Jaworski--Muros-lead-2021-PH-Sports-Hall-of-Fame-class.html?fbclid=lwAR2). *CNN Philippines*. Archived from [the original](https://www.cnnphilippines.com/sports/2021/3/12/Jaworski--Muros-lead-2021-PH-Sports-Hall-of-Fame-class.html?fbclid=lwAR2) on March 21, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2022.

- Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; [Mallon, Bill](/source/Bill_Mallon); et al. ["Joseph Buhain"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080925030842/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/bu/joseph-buhain-1.html). *Olympics at Sports-Reference.com*. [Sports Reference LLC](/source/Sports_Reference). Archived from [the original](https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/bu/joseph-buhain-1.html) on 2008-09-25.

v t e Members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines from Batangas 1st district Agoncillo G. Apacible R. M. Diokno Lontoc de las Alas R. M. Diokno N. López Tolentino F. Serrano A. Apacible L. López F. M. Serrano R. C. Diokno C. Apacible E. Ermita Ermita-Buhain T. Apacible Ermita-Buhain Buhain L. Leviste 2nd district Orense Caedo Caringal Borbón Agregado Villanueva Buendía Abaya Farol Francisco Orense Muñoz Babao Marasigan Cantos E. Leviste H. Perez E. Mendoza F. Perez Mandanas Abu Luistro 3rd district G. Catigbac T. Kalaw Reyes B. Catigbac C. Recto Dimayuga Mayo M. Kalaw Laurel Jr. Laurel IV Laurel Jr. Laurel-Trinidad Laurel IV Hernandez-Reyes N. Collantes M. T. Collantes K. Collantes 4th district Calingasan Ral. Recto Gozos M. Mendoza L. Bolilia C. Bolilia 5th district Mariño Dimacuha-Mariño 6th district Santos-Recto Ral. Recto Ry. Recto At-large (defunct) 1898–1899 M. Lopez Aguilera Gutierrez Flores 1943–1944 Laurel Jr. Malvar 1984–1986 M. Collantes Laurel Jr. H. Perez Raf. Recto

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Eric Buhain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Buhain) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Buhain?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.