The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association is shifting its attention away from top Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John ”EJ” Obiena.
Their focus will now turn to the ongoing preparations of the Philippine national team for the coming Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games in May this year.
The PATAFA made its intentions known in a statement made by its president Philip Ella Juico and chairman, Misamis Oriental Rep. Rufus Rodriguez.
“PATAFA chooses to move on. There’s so much work to be done and attention needs to be given to our more than 50 athletes, coaches, and other stakeholders. All of them need to be given the same proportionate opportunities given to an exclusive circle,” said the PATAFA.
Officials of the PATAFA talked about the direction that they will take, a day after the Philippine Sports Commission continued to keep the doors of reconciliation open between Obiena and the PATAFA.
Last Wednesday, Juico was officially declared persona non grata by the Philippine Olympic Committee General Assembly on the basis of Obiena’s complaint of “harassment” against the athletics’ chief.
So far, Obiena has already submitted his liquidation reports that are now being processed by the PSC accounting office and the Commission on Audit. The PATAFA is at odds with Obiena concerning his alleged questionable liquidation papers.
He has backed out of the mediation process, saying that there was bad faith on Juico’s side.