POLE vaulter Ernest John Obiena was saddened but not surprised by the decision of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association to drop him from the national team but vowed to fight “all the cases and charges filed against me” by the local track body.
Obiena made his sentiments known on his official Facebook account yesterday shortly after the Patafa announced in an online conference that its Administrative Committee had reported its findings and recommendations involving Obiena and his Ukrainian coach Vitaly Petrov.
The probe body said Obiena falsified liquidation documents regarding the fees paid to Petrov from May to September 2019, which included the forged signatures of Petrov, and recommended that he be dropped from the national team and be sued for estafa.
Patafa Chairman Rufus Rodriguez and President Philip Ella Juico, who were both present during the press conference, said the board would adopt all the recommendations of the Administrative Committee.
“I am saddened by the decision of the PATAFA committee and their recommendations but I am not really surprised. I am relieved that I now finally know what I am being charged with,” Obiena said. “From the very start, the Patafa proceeding had the look and feel of a witch hunt.
“My legal team can now go about the business of clearing my name and my family’s name. Righteousness always in the end.”
The Tokyo Olympic Games veteran added that “I am ready to face all cases and charges against me in any court or forum. I am hopeful that I will have my fair day in court and that I can finally end this baseless witch hunt.”
Obiena, who wound up an all-time high No. 3 in the World Athletics rankings at the end of 2021, revealed that he had already informed Petrov of Patafa’s intention to file an ethics case against him with World Athletics.
Petrov, who has been Obiena’s coach at the World Athletics elite training camp in Formia, Italy since 2015, is also the former mentor of compatriot Sergey Bubka, a former world and Olympic champion, who is also the senior vice president of the world track body.
Bubka, also the Ukrainian Olympic Committee president, had issued a sworn affidavit attesting to the fact that Petrov had not been paid his fees by Obiena since 2018.
With the endorsement of Juico, it was also Bubka who had enrolled Obiena as a World Athletics scholar at the Formia training camp in 2015 to 2017.
“On my removal from the national pool, I am always willing to compete for the flag and the country I love with my entire being. I have said before that the only reason I will not jump for the Philippines is if Philip Juico won’t let me jump for the country,” Obiena said.
He was grateful for the statement of support by Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino to stand by him so he can continue competing for the country in international meets like the Vietnam Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games this year and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“This (Tuesday) afternoon, the POC made a statement that I will carry the flag of the Philippines and represent the country. I thank the POC for doing what is right for the nation and as the National Olympic Committee,” Obiena said.
He regretted that Petrov, whom he considers his second father, was dragged into the controversy.
“He (Petrov) is a good man and has treated me like his own son. I am sorry that he is being dragged into this,” Obiena said.
He was also sad that his benefactor, Dubai-based American businessman James Lafferty, was declared “persona non grata” by Patafa.
