PSC chief on Obiena-PATAFA rift: Impossible to resolve without humility from both sides

In its bid to patch things up between pole vaulter EJ Obiena and the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) laid down four key ingredients to arrive at a resolution.

PSC chairman William Ramirez said that both parties, the Olympian and the athletics body, as well as the Philippine Olympic Committee, would need to have humility, generosity, respect, and forgiveness in order for them to iron out the kinks.

"I cannot do it alone. Together, we will resolve this dispute through compromises. Let’s do it together like what we did in the SEA Games, Asian Games, and Olympics," Ramirez said in an interview with the Philippines Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum on Tuesday.

The PSC has already sought the assistance of the Philippine Dispute Resolution Center (PDRC) to try to mediate and reconcile all parties involved.

"The mediation that we are trying to do now, without humility from both sides, EJ, PATAFA, and POC, without humility, without generosity, respect, and forgiveness, it’s impossible to resolve the disputes even if PDRC will sit down with us. Believe me," Ramirez added.

Ramirez also pointed out that his agency has been in constant discussion with both Obiena and PATAFA president Popoy Juico in an attempt to solve the matter that has been dragging on for more than a month now.

He, however, stressed that their discussions should remain far from the public eye.

"We were talking to EJ, we were talking to Popoy Juico, we were talking to the chairman of PATAFA [but] we don’t reveal what we have discussed because it’s a violation, it is a mortal sin in mediation."

Ramirez also reiterated that the issue is a simple matter and could have been solved internally had it not been released to the public.

"The case of Obiena is a simple liquidation matter and the NSA has all the right to govern and manage its own NSA," Ramirez stressed.

"However, the investigation made by the PATAFA was in public so there was a reaction. It could have been done quietly and accord due process to the athlete."

The PSC had earlier demanded Obiena, PATAFA, and the POC to refrain from issuing statements while also ordering the 26-year-old pole vaulter to finish his liquidation papers immediately.

In response, PATAFA said it would defer the implementation of the recommendations made by its fact-finding committee while Obiena said he will follow the PSC directives in order for him to prove his innocence.

—JMB, GMA News