Senators urge probe into EJ Obiena-Patafa controversy
MANILA, Philippines — Two senators called for an inquiry into the controversy between pole vaulter EJ Obiena and sports association Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa), citing the pressing need to address the matter so that the athlete can focus on his training.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III and Sen. Pia Cayetano have filed a resolution urging the chamber's committee on sports to conduct a probe into the issue and into policies "to ensure athletes' welfare and sports development in the country, including the removal of administrative burden on them."
"There is an urgent need to address the matter involving Obiena and Patafa to enable our world class athlete and one of the best pole vaulters in the world to focus on his training and competitions," the senators said in Resolution No. 982, which was filed on Monday.
They also stressed the need to review the existing rules and practices, including Patafa's handling and disbursement of funds to coaches, athletes and staff.
Patafa, founded in 1964, is the national sports association overseeing athletics sports such as track and field, road running, cross country running and race walking.
Last year, Patafa accused Obiena of falsifying liquidation reports which he submitted to the association and that he failed to pay the fees of his Ukranian coach Vitaly Petrov. The athlete was also ordered to return 85,000 euros (around P4.93 million)
Obiena and Petrov have denied Patafa's allegations, with the coach confirming that he had received the full payment of his fees.
The pole vaulter, who landed as finalist in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, admitted that he had difficulty managing his finances on his own, adding that he had to personally handle the payments of his coaches as well as other members of his staff.
According to him, this is what moved him to ask Patafa to shoulder the coaching fees of Petrov and other expenses, but alleged that the association refused his request.
Earlier this week, Obiena formally declined mediation proposed by the Philippine Sports Commission, alleging "bad faith" on the part of Patafa and its president Philip Ella Juico.
Obiena is currently the World No. 5 and Asian record-holder in pole vaulting.
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