The Philippine Sports activities Fee (PSC) on Tuesday vowed that it’ll “proactively” handle Olympian pole vaulter EJ Obiena’s criticism in opposition to the Philippine Athletics and Observe and Discipline Affiliation (PATAFA), Senator Joel Villanueva stated Tuesday.
The Philippine Each day Inquirer on Sunday reported that PATAFA had ordered Obiena to return €85,000 or greater than P4 million price of economic help, claiming falsified liquidation and a failure of fee to his coach, Vitaly Petrov.
Obiena has vigorously denied and objected to the allegations, excoriating the affiliation for “character assassination.”
On Monday, the Senate recalled the PSC’s proposed 2022 price range after the fee took a “hands-off” method to the matter.
On Tuesday, Senator Pia Cayetano requested the fee if it can assist Obiena and different athletes in battle with their nationwide sports activities associations (NSA).
“Does his honor verify that within the case of EJ and some other athlete who can be handled on this method by their NSA can all the time run to PSC and they’ll take them underneath their wing?” Cayetano stated.
Villanueva, sponsor of the PSC price range, then responded, “Sure, the [PSC] chairman is confirming it and the chairman even stated, as I do not forget that, they may ‘proactively’ do it.”
Additional, Villanueva stated the PSC “regrets” what occurred to Obiena, who has fought again in opposition to PATAFA’s allegations that the pole vaulter did not pay his coach.
“They [PSC] instantly referred to as our consideration to relay, Mr. President, that they remorse that these items would occur and the PSC worth and provides utmost significance to athletes, particularly a nationwide athlete,” stated Villanueva.
The PSC additionally joined the senators’ calls to guard athletes from harassment, Villanueva additional identified.
“And PSC is greater than keen to stroll the additional mile to relay the message that not solely the Senate, however the PSC additionally shares the sentiment of our distinguished colleagues and PSC additional relay that we should always proceed to guard our athletes and never demoralize them,” Villanueva stated.
“We [Senate] are supporting PSC in its name to cease the harassment in opposition to EJ Obiena. We assist them additionally that we should always deal with the athletes higher, particularly Obiena who’s one in every of a form,” he added.
Cayetano, who had proposed the recall of PSC’s price range, additionally requested if the PSC is keen to make separate statements in reference to the Obiena incident.
“Is the [PSC] chairman ready to make separate statements?” stated Cayetano.
Responding to this, Villanueva, quoting PSC chairman Butch Ramirez, stated the fee can be issuing a press release on Wednesday at 11 a.m.
Following the brand new statements from PSC, the Senate permitted the PSC’s proposed price range for subsequent 12 months.
PATAFA and Philippine Olympic Committee had created committees to analyze the allegations.
Malacañang additionally advised the PSC to handle the problem. — BM, GMA Information
