POC officially lifts persona non grata on Patafa chief Philip Juico

POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, star pole vaulter EJ Obiena and Patafa president Philip Ella Juico.

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Olympic Committee general assembly put the lid on the controversy that hounded pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena and his mother federation by lifting the persona non grata sanction on Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president Philip Ella Juico.

Aside from embracing the athletics chief back into its arms, the POC GA made up of 50 national sports associations from various sports likewise welcomed two more sports associations that further expanded the organization’s regular membership.

The Samahang Kickboxing ng Pilipinas led by Senator Francis “Tol” Tolentino got the nod of the assembly in the same hybrid gathering on Monday at the Knights Templar Ridge Hotel in Tagaytay City as well as the Philippine Esports Organization.

According to POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, both sports associations have completed the required two Southeast Asian Games participation to warrant their regular membership with the POC.

Kickboxing accounted for two gold, four silver and two bronze medals during the recently concluded 11-nation meet held in Hanoi, Vietnam while esports contributed two golds and two silvers to the fourth-place performance of Team Philippines.

Tolentino also said the assembly unanimously approved the granting of cash bonuses to the SEA Games medalists, but temporarily withheld specifics on the monetary rewards that will be handed out to Filipino athletes.

“All medalists will be given a cash bonus within the week after the POC has computed and audited how much sponsorships we received from major corporations,” said Tolentino.

This will be the second time that SEA Games medalists will be rewarded by the POC after the country’s overall title during the Philippine hosting of the 2019 edition.

There were 227 Filipino medalists who compiled 52 golds, 70 silvers and 105 bronze medals in Hanoi. Winding up fourth overall was the best finish by the nation when it’s not hosting the Games or since checking in second overall during the 1983 SEA Games in Singapore.

Tolentino announced in the assembly, where the POC recognized the Philippine National Rugby League or Pambansang Ragbi Liga ng Pilipinas, that the cash rewards will be deposited to the bank accounts of the medalists.

Juico was declared persona non grata by the POC in its executive board meeting December last year and was ratified by the general assembly late January due to the athletic chief’s rift with Obiena, Patafa’s star athlete who is currently No. 5 in the world.

Obiena and Juico eventually mend fences in a mediation facilitated by Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, opening the door for Obiena to retain his title in record-breaking fashion in the SEA Games.

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