PSC pleads to fix PATAFA-EJ Obiena row 'like sportsmen'

The PSC once again stepped in as it looks to help resolve EJ Obiena's row with PATAFA. Reuters (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—The Philippine Sports Commission has called on all the affected parties in the ongoing row between the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association and EJ Obiena to resolve the matter as how sportsmen should.

As the PSC laid down its requests to all the camps involved on Wednesday following its board meeting, Chairman Butch Ramirez, in a statement, said, "We have said this before and we are saying this again. Let us resolve this like sportsmen."

He continued, "The issue has dragged on and have pulled the nation’s name to the mire of negativity in the international sports scene. We all pledge our love for country, we trust that you will heed our call immediately, for love of flag. Para sa Inang Bayan!"

As of posting, the PSC is initiating talks with Obiena, PATAFA, and the Philippine Olympic Committee in hopes of finding quick resolutions to the issue.

"The PSC board is set to report all related information to the Office of the President this afternoon," Ramirez further said.

Meanwhile, the PSC made major requests to all the parties involved.

The agency first called on Obiena to complete the liquidation of his payments to his coach Vitaly Petrov, which is said to be the primary cause of his beef with PATAFA.

"EJ has given his partial liquidation report and the documents are now being examined and verified. This is a good step. Do not allow anyone to use those against you by getting it done. Finalize your liquidation and then you can focus on the other concerns," Ramirez further said. "We demand for EJ to immediately finish his liquidation of accounts so that we can continue to support him."

The PSC then called on PATAFA "to reconsider their declaration of dropping EJ from their rolls."

"Provide him an appeal mechanism and not to execute their decision immediately," Ramirez added, also pertaining to the threats of filing estafa complaints against Obiena.

The PSC also called on the POC to drop its initial call to declare PATAFA chief Popoy Juico persona non grata "on the premise of promoting peace in elite sports."

The PSC also asked the POC "to bridge the two parties as the mother organization of both."

The PSC then asked all of them to refrain from making further statements from hereon.

"We demand for the PATAFA, EJ, the POC and all the parties who wish to stoke the fire of this mad issue to stop. You have all publicly recognized the PSC and asked us to help resolve the issue, please listen to us on this simple request. Stop issuing public statements and come to the table with us to discuss this matter," Ramirez further stated.

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