Philippine boxing icon Sen. Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday, Dec. 29 backed the Philippine Olympic Committee for its “swift and judicious action” in addressing the ongoing controversy between the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) and pole vaulting star EJ Obiena.
Pacquiao lauded the POC decision to declare ‘persona non grata’ PATAFA president Philip Ella Juico who is being blamed for the controversy.
“With this action of the POC, I think that the most honorable thing to do for Mr. Juico is to resign and allow a smooth transition of leadership at the PATAFA. This will also spare the Philippine Sports Commission from being dragged into his mess. His resignation will be good for everyone. It will be good for Philippine sports,” said Pacquiao, chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
Pacquiao, the country’s pride in international sports, said POC under its chairman, Cavite Rep. Abraham Tolentino, gave Obiena a “great morale booster” which he deserved.
In a press statement, the senator stressed that Obiena “worked really hard to bring pride and honor for the country.”
"This decision of POC is a vindication from this useless and senseless politicking among our sporting officials. Thank you POC President Abraham Tolentino for taking immediate action on behalf of our athletes,” said Pacquiao.
With the POC recognizing Obiena as one of the country’s top athletes and best bet in international competition, Pacquiao said he expects the pole vaulter to concentrate now in his training in order to bring honor for the country.
Pacquiao, who is the world's only eight-division boxing champion, said that the POC's action has reassured Obiena and all other Filipino athletes that they have the support of the Filipino people.
Pacquiao added that POC’s decision should also free Obiena from the mental torture that he had been going through and can now focus on his training to become the world's top pole vaulter.
He added that this clear censure by the POC to Juico should remind sporting officials to act solely to uplift our athletes and not to torment them.
The POC’s Ethics Committee recommended that the body withdraw its recognition of Juico as PATAFA president.
However, Tolentino said the POC will continue to recognizer PATAFA as a national sports association notwithstanding the sanction imposed on its president.
The POC ethics panel conducted an investigation into the rift between Obiena and Juico. It found Juico guilty of having “harassed” Obiena when he made public “malicious accusations” against the athlete.