EJ Obiena formally reinstated to national team, says PSC

EJ Obiena has been formally reinstated to the national team after the Philippine Athletic Track and Field Association (PATAFA) endorsed the pole vault ace's re-inclusion to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

The major development came after the majority of the PATAFA board voted on it during a special board meeting held last Saturday, the PSC said in a statement.

Early this month, PSC said it was closely working with PATAFA to reinstate Obiena back to the Philippine team following his recent string of success highlighted by a bronze medal and new Asian record in the World Athletics Championships.

Obiena, who now ranks third in the world, was initially excluded from the national pool after the athletics body accused him of misusing his allowance. But the 26-year-old athlete cleared his name, securing clearance from the Commission on Audit to prove he didn't use government money for other purposes.

PSC Commissioner Bong Coo is pleased with this turn of events saying that “we are thankful to the PATAFA leadership” for taking this step to solidify the strength of our national athletics team. — LA, GMA News