IS it true EJ Obiena doesn’t want to join the mediation to resolve the Obiena-Patafa (Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association) financial row?
Reports point to that.
Bad, bad.
If Patafa officials have agreed to the mediation bid of the PSC (Philippine Sports Commission), it should thus be incumbent on Obiena to respect the power of communication to resolve the disgraceful dispute once and for all.
For one, if Obiena has nothing to hide, why deny himself the chance to clear his name of financial mismanagement being levelled at him by Patafa?
For another, the PSC has the moral duty to intervene as it is mandated by law to disburse money for Filipino athletes’ use in training for and in joining world events.
Patafa has accused the Italy-based Obiena of mishandling funds intended as salaries of P4.8 million for his Ukrainian coach Vitaly Petrov.
Obiena, the world’s No. 6 pole vaulter, has denied the charge—a defense supported by Petrov, who issued a signed statement to that effect.
In retaliation, Obiena, 26, said his reputation had been smeared and he wanted nothing but a public apology from Patafa headed by Philip Ella Juico.
No such Patafa apology has materialized, putting to jeopardy Obiena’s training in Europe as he even threatened to quit “the sport I love.”
Wanting to patch up the impasse, PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez has repeatedly said the mediation does not wish to find who was at fault or not.
“We just need to mend broken fences for the good of all parties concerned,” Ramirez said. “After all, there seems to be no government money lost and therefore, we should move on for the good of Philippine sports.”
But Ramirez has dropped an ultimatum if mediation will not push through: Stop PSC’s financial support to both Patafa and Obiena.
That’s cruel but then, that’d be as inevitable as a LeBron James slam dunk when left free.
Since the public is obviously on Obiena’s side anyways, he should withdraw his demand for Patafa’s public apology to pave the way for ironing out kinks inside the board room.
Communication, opening lines and a readiness to talk it out will surely put an end to this pesky and petty perfidy.
THAT’S IT The return today (December 15) of the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) to the Araneta Coliseum is cause for joy. Add the fact that live fans are also in, albeit on a limited basis. Basketball being the barometer of the nation’s sporting pulse, believe then that total normalcy in the local sporting world is within grasp—finally…Happy birthday to Tiong Bahru Restaurant cofounder Abel Manliclic! Cheers!