GO TELLS SPORTS BODIES: ATHLETES’ WELFARE FIRST

SEN. Christopher “Bong” Go’s Committee on Sports aims to set the tone for a potential government intercession in sports disputes similar to the dragging row between Olympic pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena and his mother federation Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa).

“There’s a need to identify possible government interventions to resolve the issues or craft necessary legislation to avoid such conflicts from recurring,” Go told a hearing on the Obiena-patafa issue that lasted five hours on Monday night. “I urge concerned agencies and organizations to always prioritize the welfare of athletes.”

A joint Sports and Finance Committees hearing dug into the resolution of Obiena’s rift with the Patafa, particularly its president Philip Ella Juico, concerning finances revolving on the world No. 3-ranked pole vaulter’s Ukranian coach Vitaly Petrov’s salaries.

In the hearing, Obiena agreed to go “all in” on a mediation effort being pushed by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) between him and the Patafa.

“I am all in about [this] mediation. In my understanding, putting me back as a national team member I believe as a sign of good faith,” Obiena said, citing Senator Francis Tolentino’s recommendation in the hearing to have him back on the Philippine team.

The Patafa, represented by its chairman Rufus Rodriguez, said Obiena’s expulsion from the team, as well as the filing of legal charges against the athlete and his mother Jeanette, were put on hold pending the mediation.

The PSC stated in the hearing that it remains open to leading the mediation procedure. “It’s the priority of this hearing to seek ways to prevent this [Obiena-patafa] issue from happening again,” Go stressed.

Expressing his frustration over the controversy, Go strongly recommended for the PSC to regularly meet and coordinate with the Philippine Olympic Committee “to ensure that all assistance needed by the athletes are promptly provided and such conflicts are immediately resolved.”

“After our athletes give honor to the country in the Asian Games or Southeast Asian Games, controversies such as this crop up—fingers are pointed at one another, ‘Where’s the money? What happened? Who benefited?’” Go said.

“We have the PSC. It’s high time na you should step up and settle issues,” he said. “The Senate’s not a referee, we are here to make laws to strengthen the Psc…let’s finish this issue today and it’s the PSC that should take the lead.”

Go said that the hearing aims to come up with meaningful recommendations in aid of legislation to boost the morale of athletes, improve their performance and foster better relationships among sports organizations and athletes.

“Yet, we must do so in a spirit of fair play and justice,” he said.

Go also clarified in the hearing that being an honorary chairman of the Patafa, he said that the title was conferred to him before he was elected as senator.

“To allay doubts of partiality, I have never discharged any function related to this role.

Being an ‘Honorary Chairman’ is merely a title or honor, without the usual obligations or remunerations,” he said.