FILE––EJ Obiena, center, with Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president Philip Ella Juico and Patafa official Edward Kho. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Sports Commission on Monday pulled out its mediation offer to help fix the row between Olympian EJ Obiena and the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association.
In a statement, the PSC said that it’s discontinuing the offer in respect to Obiena’s decision to let the Philippine Olympic Committee and International Olympic Committee find a solution to the rift.
“In light of the recent decision of Mr. Ernest John Obiena as posted on his social media account, the Philippine Sports Commission humbly informs the public that we are discontinuing the mediation offer,” said the PSC.
“The agency leaves the mediation table, respecting the decision of Mr. Obiena who chose to submit to procedures conducted by other institutions.”
Obiena and Patafa have been feuding since November with the national sports association asking the pole vaulter to return 85,000 euros (over P4.8 million pesos) in financial assistance after he allegedly “falsified the liquidations submitted” to the federation.
This led Obiena to raise the issue to the POC and the IOC while also seeking the services of accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers to audit the payments given to him.
“We have to underscore that mediation should be the first course of action being the more peaceful, equitable, confidential, voluntary option to resolve issues,” said the PSC. “The PSC though is keeping its doors open to the process should both parties agree to it in the future.”