EJ Obiena denied reports about the alleged misuse of government funds in a statement posted on social media Sunday.
The Tokyo Olympian pole vaulter said the reports “are 100 percent false and represent nothing more than character assassination.”
“I have prided myself in embracing the values of discipline, competitiveness, honour, transparency and respect. This doesn’t change even in times of crisis,” Obiena wrote.
Obiena and Ukrainian coach Vitaly Petrov are scheduled to appear in an online press conference as of this writing to share documented evidence regarding the issue.
“The only thing we truly own in life is our reputation. I will defend mine from baseless allegations; which expose the political underbelly of some in the world of sports,” the reigning national record holder and world No. 6 pole vaulter said.
According to sources, an administrative committee is formed to look into documents regarding the coaching fees made to Petrov amounting to 85,000 euros (around P4.8 million).
In a letter addressed to Obiena, the pole vaulter is ordered to return the said amount and explain why he must not be dropped from the national training pool.
Obiena has been training under Petrov in Formia, Italy for the past years. During this period, the 26-year-old has significantly improved his performance and even surpassed his own national record as well as the Asian mark to 5.93 meters.
Obiena finished 11th in the Tokyo Olympics and remained as one of the country’s brightest medal hopes in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
PATAFA President Philip Ella Juico declined to comment when reached by Manila Bulletin.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Butch Ramirez, meanwhile, said the issue remains internal affair and could not yet intervene.
“If there are financial problems, our accounting office comes in later and the Commission on Audit (COA) will guide us what to do. At the moment, it remains an internal affair,” Ramirez.