The squabble involving the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association and the country’s top pole vaulter in Ernest John “EJ” Obiena is over.
The dispute finally came to a halt after Obiena expressed his apologies to the PATAFA, its board members, members of the national team, and its president Philip Ella Juico during a virtual session.
Forgiveness was expressed by both parties over issues that were raised against each other since November last year.
Officials of the Philippine Sports Commission made the announcement after a series of talks that they brokered ended amicably following its fifth session on Wednesday.
“It is with much joy that we announce that both parties have agreed to a settlement and the proceedings ended successfully. The Philippine Athletics and Track and Filed Association, the sole governing body of athletics as recognized by the World Athletics, has agreed to endorse Mr. EJ Obiena to the 2022 Southeast Asian Games and the 2022 World Outdoor Athletics,” said PSC chairman William Ramirez in a statement.
The conflict started when the national sports association for athletics questioned Obiena on the unliquidated financial assistance given him representing the salary of his coach Vitaliy Petrov.
Ramirez served as the sole mediator in the proceedings, done with the help of Assistant Solicitor General Bernard Hernandez and the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center, Inc., through its Executive Director Atty. Arleo Magtibay, Jr.
The PSC mediation team, led by Atty. Guillermo B. Iroy, Jr., PSC’s executive director, was also present.
