IN the event the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association drops pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena from the national team, Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino yesterday vowed he would “fight” so the athlete could compete for the country in international meets.
“We will fight so EJ can compete in international competitions such as the Vietnam Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games. We will fight for it,” Tolentino said in the online session of the Philippine Sportswriters Association forum.
Tolentino issued the statement a day after Obiena announced that he had declined the mediation process between him and the Patafa headed by its president, Philip Ella Juico, that was being brokered by the Philippine Sports Commission.
The PSC board led by Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez issued a terse statement yesterday confirming they had received Obiena’s formal withdrawal from the mediation talks through his lawyers.
“The Philippine Sports Commission has received communication from Mr. EJ Obiena, sent through his lawyer, via email, that Mr. Obiena ‘will no longer participate in the mediation proceedings,’” the government sports agency said.
“As mediation requires for the voluntary agreement of both parties for the process to proceed, we inform you that mediation is temporarily on hold,” the PSC added, still hoping that Obiena would change his mind.
“Despite this development, we maintain our stand that mediation is still the best option to resolve this matter,” the PSC said while confirming that Obiena has submitted and completed his liquidation report.
These were the funds sent to the Italy-based athlete directly, with Patafa approval, for his training and participation in events before the Tokyo Olympic Games last year until August 21, including wages meant for his coach, Vitaly Petrov.
Based on a Patafa internal inquiry, Obiena allegedly had not paid Petrov, who heads the World Athletic elite training camp in Formia, Italy, properly since 2018 and forged liquidation statements from May to December 2019 attesting that the mentor had received his fees.
“Mr. Obiena has submitted his liquidation reports. The PSC accounting office and the Commission on Audit shall proceed with their normal post-audit process of checking and verification on submitted liquidation documents,” the PSC said.
“We respect what EJ did in declining the PSC mediation process. That is his right,” Tolentino said in the public sports program supported by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., San Miguel Corp., Milo, Amelie Hotel, Braska Restaurant, Unilever, with Prime Edge as its new broadcast and social media partner.
The POC chief said that in the likelihood that Obiena is dropped from the national team by the Patafa, he would ensure the athlete would get accredited to overseas competitions, including the Vietnam SEA Games and Asian Games, as well as financial support for his campaigns.
