EJ Obiena to follow PSC directives to prove he has 'not pocketed a single centavo'

Embattled athlete EJ Obiena vowed to follow the directives set by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in an effort to sort out his rift with the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) over an alleged misuse of funds.

The PSC on January 5 laid down several orders to PATAFA, Obiena, and the Philippine Olympic Committee in order to get to the bottom of the issue and find a resolution.

Aside from directing Obiena to immediately finish his liquidation papers, PSC also demanded for PATAFA to reconsider its decision to expel Obiena from its national pool. It also ordered POC to serve as a bridge between PATAFA and the world no. 6 pole vaulter.

PSC's final directive was for all the parties involved to stop issuing public statements.

In a letter addressed to PSC chairman Willam Ramirez, the pole vaulter said he has completed the submission of his documents and receipts for the liquidation, which served as the root cause of his misunderstandings with the athletics body.

According to the 26-year-old Olympian, he has submitted the liquidation of all of his funding covered by PSC Board Resolution Numbers 1488-2019, 761-2020, and 834-2020 for the funding period ending August 2021.

Obiena added that he is just waiting for the approval of the balance of his liquidation amounting to P2,226,260.

"To be honest, I am relieved that you (Ramirez) acknowledged that the primary cause of all this controversy is a simple liquidation," Obiena said in his letter, a copy of which was furnished to GMA News Online by his legal spokesperson Atty. Bobbet Bruce.

"This has not only tarnished my reputation and integrity as a person and a sportsman, but also greatly affected my family, especially my parents who are also employees of PATAFA. I have no recourse therefore, but to defend my personal and family’s honor."

"In so far as your directive to pursue a mediation among all parties concerned, me, my team, PATAFA, and POC, please note, that as a true sportsman, I am willing to participate in this mediation in order to find a peaceful solution," Obiena added.

"I trust that with your leadership, we will be able to find a solution that will convince PATAFA that I have not pocketed a single centavo from the training fees of my coach, nor have I done anything to be considered a bad example to all the upcoming national athletes."

Obiena, who has not been funded since August 2021, also asked help from PSC to direct PATAFA in processing his incentives from breaking the Philippine and Asian records last September 12 in Austria.

"I believe that I am entitled to Php1,500,000 as per RA 10699 or the Expanded National Athletes, Coaches, Trainers Benefits and Incentives Act of 2001.  This will help me with my current expenses as I have not been funded since August 2021."

"As you all know, since my funding has been cut in August 2021, I had very limited financial resources for my training and had been constrained to borrow from family and friends."

—JMB, GMA News