EJ Obiena (proper) and Vitaly Petrov talk about technique throughout a break in competitors within the qualifying spherical of the Tokyo Olympics pole vault competitors. —FRANCIS T. J. OCHOA
The monetary brouhaha involving Olympian EJ Obiena and his nationwide federation, the Philippine Athletics Monitor and Discipline Affiliation (Patafa), has taken a very ugly flip nobody noticed coming.
And a supply from the athletic physique aware of the investigation revealed that due to the involvement of taxpayer cash, there’s just one manner for this mess to have a conclusion: Obiena dealing with his federation’s probe.
“Whether or not he likes it or not, he must face the Patafa investigation as a result of this includes authorities funds,” stated the supply, who refused to be recognized as a result of the probing staff has but to talk to Obiena.
The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), alarmed over the controversy hounding a nationwide athlete being eyed to get on the rostrum within the 2024 Olympics, additionally stated on Saturday that it’s going to look into the matter.
The problem erupted after paperwork supplied to the Inquirer confirmed that the Patafa had ordered Obiena to return 85,000 euros (round P4.8 million) in salaries supposed for coach Vitaly Petrov that, the affiliation stated, the pole vault ace “falsified” in “liquidations submitted” to the federation.
Obiena later held a press convention, with Petrov in tow, displaying that he had already paid the legendary coach. Petrov additionally backed Obiena’s declare.
Obiena assertion
However extra paperwork supplied to the Inquirer by completely different sources confirmed that as of Sept. 15 this 12 months, Petrov had not but been paid his teaching dues, which have been pegged at 2,000 euros a month. An affidavit written by pole vault legend Sergey Bubka, now a high-ranking World Athletics official, backed that declare.
“Vitaliy (sic) additionally stated that final 12 months (2020), he requested EJ why Patafa didn’t pay something for his teaching and EJ stated that some cash was allotted for his coaching by the Olympic Fee of the Philippines and despatched to Patafa. Patafa used this cash for different functions. In different phrases, this cash was stolen by Patafa and EJ didn’t obtain something,” learn a part of Bubka’s affidavit, which was notarized final month.
The Inquirer tried to confirm the legitimacy of the affidavit with Patafa chief Philip Juico however he has not responded at press time. Nonetheless, the Patafa has stated that each Petrov and Bubka had executed affidavits saying Petrov wasn’t paid for a number of months. Two sources, separate from the one who supplied a replica of the affidavit to the Inquirer, additionally verified the doc.Obiena couldn’t be reached for remark though he did launch an announcement after it grew to become obvious that he paid Petrov however was late in doing so.
“Patafa has accused me, in writing, of committing critical crimes of embezzlement and outright ‘theft’ of monies supposed for my coach, Vitaliy (sic) Petrov,” the assertion learn. “After Vitaliy (sic) himself appeared within the press convention on November 20, refuting these allegations, now they all of a sudden change the written accusations. As an alternative of admitting they have been fallacious, they now change the topic: Now the problem is, apparently, I maybe didn’t pay Petrov ‘on time.’”
“That’s a good distance from embezzlement and theft that they accused me of,” Obiena added in his assertion, explaining that he processes the paperwork himself on the subject of paying his staff in Italy, the place he’s primarily based, thus leading to delayed funds.
“I simply typically can’t handle the workload and the coaching and get the whole lot completed to Patafa’s satisfaction,” Obiena’s assertion learn.
Probe goal
In response to a educated supply, the probe is anticipated to middle on these late funds, which Obiena admitted, and whether or not or not the athlete had indicated in his liquidation experiences that he had paid Petrov regardless of being behind in releasing the salaries.
The supply, who spoke on the situation of anonymity as a result of he isn’t linked to the problem, stated the preliminary Patafa memo didn’t point out that Obiena had stolen the funds meant for Petrov, however that the athlete had indicated Petrov had been paid in liquidation experiences submitted to the federation.
The wording of the 2 memos supplied to the Inquirer, the supply stated, was the type of wording to be anticipated from associations holding misrepresented liquidation experiences involving authorities funds—together with the demand for the return of the questioned quantity—and doesn’t symbolize, tacit or in any other case, an accusation of theft.
Different liabilities
And, the opposite Inquirer supply stated, Obiena should clear this concern up with the Patafa to keep away from different authorized liabilities. Even when the pole vaulter had paid his coach, he might nonetheless face prices of falsification of public paperwork since he allegedly made the Patafa imagine that Petrov was being paid on time.
“He can’t simply name a press convention, [and] not face the investigation,” the primary supply stated.
The pole vault ace, in the meantime, on Tuesday questioned “why are there assaults in opposition to me, with none due course of, with out even asking me a query, of this critical crime?”
In the identical digital press convention on Sunday the place Obiena appeared with Petrov, the pole vaulter additionally threatened to retire from “the game that I like.” Nonetheless, in his newest assertion, he stated that he could be amenable to make peace.
However that peace can solely include the readability {that a} probe on the liquidation experiences will present.
“If he (Obiena) refuses to face the investigation, the Patafa will proceed with the case primarily based on the proof they’ve,” added the supply. “Obiena not simply stands to lose his place within the nationwide staff, however should face extra critical prices from the federal government.”
One optimistic factor going although is that Obiena additionally desires the problem to be dropped at a venue that may examine all documentary proof obtainable.
“I’ll clear my identify. I’ll elevate all authorized challenges and I would like this to be put right into a court docket of regulation the place all proof should be uncovered,” Obiena stated in his assertion. “Patafa claims they’ve a signed written criticism from Vitaliy (sic) Petrov. Vitaliy (sic) claims the precise reverse.”
“Patafa has leaked each different doc. Why have they not leaked the signed affidavit of Vitaliy (sic) Petrov? Maybe as a result of it doesn’t exist? Now that may be a crime,” Obiena wrote.
Ranked fifth on this planet, Obiena solid doubt on the Bubka affidavit, saying: “Patafa someway construed this complete case and cajoled Bubka into making this assertion.”
Worst case
The worst case for Obiena is that, having been stricken off the nationwide staff pending the outcomes of the investigation, he can’t compete for the Philippines.
“I’m prepared to ‘make peace’ on this case however I will need to have my good identify cleared. I don’t maintain out a lot hope. It’s clear I’m not wished by my federation in any form or kind.” Obiena stated. “I’m destroyed mentally and reputationally. And the assaults preserve coming. Clearly, I’m not wished.”
And that feeling of being not wished is what worries the POC.
“I’m very upset. They might have dealt with the scenario internally, absent of any misfires from each events. A bountiful profession is now in peril,’’ stated POC president Rep. Abraham “Bambol’’ Tolentino.
“We within the POC can be steadfast and for the sake of Olympism and impartiality, will go into the main points and examine the matter,’’ stated Tolentino. INQ
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