Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Thursday said he is considering filing a resolution calling for a Senate inquiry into the issues hounding pole vaulter and Tokyo Olympian Ernest John "EJ" Obiena should the appropriate sports officials and organizations fail to solve the issues hounding the athlete.

Go, who chairs the Senate Committee on Sports, made the remark as he expressed disappointment over the decision of the Philippine Athletics and Track and Field Association (PATAFA) to drop Obiena from its National Training Pool of Athletes.

The senator said sports officials and the country's athletics body are mandated to promote the welfare of national athletes and help them focus on their own training for upcoming international competitions instead of dragging them to face issues that could be resolved amicably.

“Trabaho ninyo na tulungan sila. Iresolba at ibigay mga pangangailangan nila. Pagaanin ang pinapasan nila. Hindi para ipitin at mas pahirapan pa sila! (It’s your job to help them. To resolve and provide for their needs. To make it easier for them and not to make it difficult for them),” Go stressed.

“Yung national athletes natin ang focus niyan ay magbigay ng panalo at dangal sa pamilya at sa bansa. Nagpapakahirap yan para maghanda at maging mahusay sa kanyang larangan (Our national athletes are focused on bringing victory and glory to their family and the nation. They are sacrificing so much for the preparation and to hone their skills),” he pointed out.

“Huwag natin ipaproblema sa kanila yung mga isyu na pwede naman pagtulungan ng mga opisyales, mga organisasyon, at mga propesyunal na inatasang suportahan ang Philippine team. Kaya nga nandito tayo para tulungan sila. Hindi para dagdagan pa ang iniisip nila (Let’s not add these problems which can be resolved with the help of officials, organizations and professionals that are supporting the Philippine team. We are here to help them out. Not to add to their burdens),” Go reiterated.

PATAFA earlier announced its intent to file a criminal complaint for estafa against Obiena for alleged non-payment of coaching fees to his coach, Vitaly Petrov, and falsification of liquidation documents. The move has been widely criticized by national athletics bodies and the public alike given that Petrov has already claimed he has been paid by Obiena.

PATAFA also terminated the services of and is set to file a complaint against Petrov for allegedly violating the World Athletics Integrity Code of Conduct as well as declare Obiena’s adviser James Lafferty a persona non grata.

Go said he is disappointed that these issues are taking the attention away from the support and praise that should be given to world-class and promising pole vaulter EJ Obiena.

“As the country’s pride, he has the weight of a whole nation on his shoulders. The least we can do is unburden him with these issues,” Go said.

As chair of the Senate sports panel, Go emphasized that he has seen the struggles and difficulties athletes have to endure especially amid an ongoing pandemic.

The senator warned he might ask for a Senate probe into the matter to determine whether or not there were lapses on the part of the government or the athletics body.

“I urge PATAFA, POC (Philippine Olympic Committee) and PSC (Philippine Sports Commission) to resolve the matter as soon as possible,” he said.

“Otherwise, I will be compelled to call for a legislative inquiry to find out if there are lapses and excesses on their part,” the senator said.