The high road

I am not a thief. I am a Filipino athlete. I am honorable. – Ernest John Obiena

The brouhaha between the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) and Olympian pole vaulter EJ Obiena has now tied up the esteemed halls of the Legislature. The Senate Sports Committee has been investigating the accusations that Obiena embezzled money meant for his coach, while Obiena and his team have alleged that PATAFA head Philip Ella Juico has been trying to destroy his name, among other things.

Truth be told, the accusatory documents against Obiena were leaked to members of the sports media (including a reporter of The STAR) days before the story broke. Sensing an incomplete tale, no one used the anonymously sent documents. There was obviously a move to beat the gun and brand the world-ranked pole vaulter a villain before he could defend himself, and it was done in a not so honorable way, by whom, none of the media are directly saying.

Both the PSC and Philippine Olympic Committee’s Ethics Committee are now looking into the accusations. If the funds meant for Obiena’s coach or any member of his team were delayed, how much of a delay constitutes stealing public funds? How long before payment delayed is considered payment denied? That seems like the first question that needed to be answered. Was anyone else affected, and are there similar cases in other sports? In situations where a national sports association has unliquidated funds, the PSC has a precautionary protocol of remitting allowances directly to athletes.

Sadly, the investigation by the Senate will not be able to resolve this case. First, any hearing is held only in aid of future legislation. If any new law comes about (which is unlikely), it will be long after this case is cold and dead or has caused irreparable damage to the ties between athlete and federation. The new law cannot be implemented retroactively, either. Secondly, we will have a new set of legislators in five months, so continuity will be lost. Third, since the hearings are virtual, no one caught lying can be held in contempt and / or placed under house arrest.

Obiena has already declined an offer of mediation from the PSC, prefacing it by the expressing his highest regard for Chairman Butch Ramirez. Ramirez is giving the athlete more time. But the affront has gotten personal. The first mistake was not calling Obiena’s attention discreetly and trying to settle the matter internally. That would have been cleaner, quieter, more dignified. But obviously, that was not the intent. It appears that there is something else beneath the surface, which the media and general public are not aware of. Now, both sides are a target. All flaws are exposed. Everyone looks bad. All this simply because nobody took the high road.