The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has asked its Ethics Committee to convene next week to probe into the complaint of Olympian pole vaulter EJ Obiena against the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa).
“The POC assures that it will resolve the issues expediently and hold people who are accountable,” POC President Bambol Tolentino said.
Rowing’s Patrick Gregorio chairs the Ethics Committee with sailing’s Ernesto Echauz and bridge’s Gerry Alquiros as members.
Obiena filed his complaint before the Athletes Commission and Safe Sports Technical Working Group against his federation and its president Philip Juico on “alleged harassment, attempting to collude with coaches to fabricate statements, coercing to solicit doctor-patient privileged communication, psychological abuse, bullying and neglect of duty.”
Obiena, currently ranked No. 5 in the world, denied reports about the alleged misuse of government funds intended for the coaching fees of his Ukrainian mentor Vitaly Petrov.
Patafa, for his part, said it only acted on a testimony signed by Petrov, who informed the association that he did not receive payments for his services with a signed affidavit from Ukrainian Olympic Committee President and pole vault legend Sergey Bubka backing Petrov’s claims.
The Philippine Sports Commission has already ordered both parties to refrain from issuing public statements and instead, resolve the issue in private.