Obiena drama deepens

LET’S put things in their proper perspect i ve.

Athletics chief Philip Ella Juico began the fray by accusing EJ Obiena of not paying the salaries of Obiena’s Ukrainian coach, Vitaly Petrov.

Two things immediately come to mind: One, why was Obiena, a world-class pole vaulter under Juico’s wings, assigned the paymaster’s task when he is supposed to focus solely on his training in Fornia, Italy? Money matters are so tricky they could derail a person’s proper disposition.

Two, why did Juico spill the beans in public instead of calling

Obiena in a private meeting to sort things out with his ward? As the leader,

Juico should be circumspect at all times when dealing with his people.

But Obiena was honest enough to admit not paying Petrov’s salaries on time.

“Late payment is never a crime,” said Obiena, 26.

With that, the Juico-Obiena rift would quickly escalate into a national debate.

Naturally, initial public reaction sided with Obiena, who was quickly seen as the underdog and being bullied by his boss. His positive position was buttressed by Petrov’s subsequent act of issuing a public document absolving Obiena of any financial misconduct.

We would next see Obiena demanding a public apology from Juico for having “besmirched my reputation.”

When Juico ignored Obiena’s demand and continued lambasting the world’s No. 6 vaulter, the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) entered the fracas.

While the PSC offered to mediate, the POC was more combative.

Through its Ethics Committee headed by rowing chief Pato Gregorio, the POC threw its support behind Obiena by declaring Juico persona non grata (unwelcome person) and promising to support Obiena all the way.

In a funny twist, Juico kicked Obiena out of athletics and charged the Asian recordholder with estafa.

Funny, because Juico made a counter-punch not against POC but Obiena.

Funnier still was Juico’s triple hostile acts of (1) removing Petrov as Obiena’s coach, (2) accusing Obiena’s mother, Jeanette, (a federation employee), of misappropriating association funds of P3,661,608, and (3) declaring Obiena’s backer and adviser, David Lafferty, as persona non grata.

Does Juico pay Petrov’s salaries?

Why would Juico suddenly drag Obiena’s mom into the conflict?

What has Lafferty done to merit Juico’s wrath?

A loose cannon Juico has become?