World-ranked Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena
MANILA – The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) formally ended on Monday the mediation between the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) and EJ Obiena.
PSC chairman Butch Ramirez called for an online meeting between him, Obiena, and PATAFA for the closure, which was just basically the icing on top of the cake as both Obiena and PATAFA already patched things up last week.
According to PSC, Ramirez was "pleased to see the kind exchanges during the meeting," a far cry from the trade of barbs that took place during the past months at the height of the rift between Obiena and PATAFA over liquidation issues.
Ramirez was glad that the mediation taught him, Obiena, and PATAFA lessons for their betterment.
“It is a learning experience for all. For us in the PSC, this experience is historical because it is our first-ever foray into sports mediation,” Ramirez said.
He added that the PATAFA-Obiena mediation will surely prepare the PSC for future mediations ahead even if a new management group is coming in line with the next Philippine president.
“It showed us areas where we can craft policies for improvement,” Ramirez added.
The PSC reiterated that everything discussed during the entire mediation process is strictly confidential and cannot be shared with others.
However, one major good news that came during the mediation was that PATAFA agreed to endorse Obiena for the Southeast Asian Games in Hanoi from May 12-23, formally clearing him for his men's pole vault title defense. (PNA)
