As process finally ends, Butch Ramirez sees PATAFA-EJ Obiena mediation as 'learning experience for all'

All's well that ends well for EJ Obiena and PATAFA. Reuters (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

CARMONA--A historic moment in Philippine sports came to a close on Monday as Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez formally ended the mediation process between the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association and world number five pole vaulter EJ Obiena.

An online meeting was held via Zoom, and according to PSC, Ramirez was "pleased to see the kind exchanges during the meeting," a far cry from the trade of barbs that took place during the past months at the height of the rift between Obiena and PATAFA over liquidation issues.

The said talks also reflected that both Obiena and PATAFA have already patched things up, making the mediation a successful one.

Ramirez also expressed gladness that the mediation taught him, Obiena, and PATAFA lessons for their betterment.

“It is a learning experience for all. For us in the PSC, this experience is historical because it is our first-ever foray into sports mediation,” Ramirez said.

He added that the PATAFA-Obiena mediation will surely prepare the PSC for future mediations ahead even if a new management group is coming in line with the next Philippine president.

“It showed us areas where we can craft policies for improvement,” Ramirez added.

The PSC reiterated that everything discussed during the entire mediation process is strictly confidential and cannot be shared with others.

However, one major good news that came during the mediation was that PATAFA has agreed to endorse Obiena for the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi from May 12-23, formally clearing him for his men's pole vault title defense.

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