DETERMINED to resolve the issue quickly, the Philippine Sports Commission yesterday set a Dec. 15 deadline for the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association and pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena to submit to mediation initiated by agency over the controversy involving the wages of the athlete’s coach, Vitaly Petrov.
To further prod the Patafa to respond to mediation, the PSC reiterated its position to uphold the implementation of its ‘No Liquidation, No Funding’ policy “to aid the swifter liquidation of problematic accounts.”
Since government funds were involved in Petrov’s wages, the PSC sent Patafa President Philip Ella Juico and Obiena a “Mediation Submission Agreement” last Nov. 25, which PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez had expected both parties to agree to.
Philippine Olympic Committee Ethics Committee Chairman Pato Gregorio yesterday said it is just as anxious to resolve the matter “as soon as possible without any shortcuts. We want to shed light on the matter and ensure that truth prevails.”
The PSC board expressed concern over the non-response so far of the Patafa and Obiena to mediation “knowing the urgency for the mediation process to begin for the issue to be resolved.”
A former PSC chairman, Juico said last week that that he would cooperate with Ramirez and the PSC on the matter.
“Again, my role is to facilitate communication between the parties (involved), not to decide who is right or wrong. Mediation is the best option for now so the parties can reconcile, open communication lines, and continue the work that needs to be done,” stressed Ramirez, who expressed hope the dispute could still be settled peacefully and amicably.
“A failed mediation will be detrimental for both parties,” Ramirez warned.
Anticipating a legal battle, Obiena announced on his official Facebook page last Sunday night that he has engaged “Atty. Alex Avisado and the Gana Tan Atienza Avisado Law Offices as my legal counsel to represent me in all current and future investigations, including the filing of any possible and appropriate civil, criminal, and administrative actions.”
The pole vaulter also tapped Dubai-based American benefactor Jim Laffery and Manila-based Atty. Bobet Bruce “to be my official spokespersons to represent me… and officially address all pertinent questions with my current situation with my NSA (National Sports Association).”
“As an elder of the Philippine sports community, I am asking them to submit to mediation for their mutual benefit.” Ramirez said, adding that as the PSC chief, he is duty-bound to explore ways to help resolve the issue.
“The PSC understand that the other aspect of the dispute involves an internal process within the Patafa and World Athletics. Notwithstanding this, the PSC vows to help the parties reach a settlement agreement while protecting government interest,” the PSC said.
Gregorio said he has initially talked with Juico and Obiena over the dispute but declined to give more details. He added he is closely working with Atty. Wharton Chan, the POC legal counsel, and committee members Jude Echauz and Gerry Alquiroz of sailing and bridge, respectively, and would call an online meeting to deliberate on the controversy that has wracked Philippine sports.
In an online press conference last week from Formia, Italy where he has been based full-time since 2017, Obiena denied that had failed to pay the salary of Petrov since 2018 from the funds that Patafa sent him directly from the financial support given by the PSC for that purpose.
Petrov, who appeared with Obiena in the virtual briefing, said he had been fully paid, although Juico last week in a TV interview that it was only last Nov. 4, 5 and 9 that payments were made to Petrov “from other sources” through bank transfers.
The athletics chief said that his was done through remittances emanating from the Philippines, including $12,000 (roughly P600,000) made by Obiena’s mother, last Nov. 5 and two from the United Arab Emirates where Lafferty resides.
World Athletics Vice President Sergey Bubka, a former world and Olympic champion and Petrov’s protégé, issued an affidavit last Oct. 21 that his former mentor had not been paid from 2018 until last September after a casual conversation with Juico.
