SBG won’t let pass PATAFA action versus Obiena
SENATOR Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go, has issued an ‘SCO’ (show cause order) against the entire board of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA), for not honoring their commitment to settle their row with national athlete, EJ Obiena.
In a statement last Friday, March 18, 2022, Go, chair of the Senate Committee on Sports, said the PATAFA board, headed by Philip Ella Juico, must be made to explain why they did not comply with the committee’s order issued last February 7, 2022, in relation to Obiena.
Obiena was accused by the group of Juico of
Four senators—Sen. Pia Cayetano, Sen. Panfilo Lacson, Sen. Francis Tolentino and Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto’ last March 16, 2022, moved to cite Juico in contempt for failing to enter into a compromise with Obiena, who is now ranked 5th in world ranking for pole vaulting.
In November last year, Obiena accused Juico of “harassment” that prompted the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to declare Juico ‘persona non grata’ based on the result of its investigation.
To resolve the issue amicably, Go conducted a hearing jointly with the Committee on Finance last February 8, as the issue also revolved around Obiena’s allowance.
However, Juico appeared to have ignored the Senate, even ousting Obiena to play for the Philippines. Juico also contested the POC decision by filing an arbitration case before the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Switzerland.
In a statement released when the motion to cite Juico in contempt was filed, Go stressed he remains committed to help resolve the issue in order to protect the welfare of Filipino athletes in a fair and lawful manner.
“Rest assured that we will appropriately act on the motion to cite PATAFA in contempt for filing an arbitration case despite ongoing mediation proceedings as agreed upon during the Committee Hearing held last February 7 for the parties involved to amicably settle their differences,” Go said.
The senator previously reiterated his disappointment amid the conflict between PATAFA and Obiena which hindered the latter from competing in several international competitions.
He emphasized that national athletes should be able to concentrate on their training rather than on other issues that can divert their attention away from their goals of delivering glory to the country.
“Mentally… draining po ‘yon. Nakaka-drain po ‘yon ng utak ‘no dahil habang nagte-training ka, dapat focus ka lang sa iyong pagte-training,” Go noted.
“Kaya nakikiusap ako sa lahat na isantabi na muna ang pansariling interes at resolbahin ang mga hindi pagkakaunawaan alang-alang sa bansang ating nirerepresenta sa bawat laban,” he added.
