Nograles to PSC: Don't allow us to be robbed of gold

Romeo Braceros Jr.

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posted on 4 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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DAVAO CITY---"The Republic will be robbed of possible gold medals from the Asian Championships in Kazakhstan, SEA Games in Vietnam, Asian Games in China, World Championships in Oregon.”

With this backdrop, Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta (PBA) Partylist Rep. Jericho Nograles said on Jan 5, that the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) should stop the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) from removing from the national pool Filipino pole vaulting superstar EJ Obiena.

Rep. Nograles said that the brouhaha brought about by the actions of PATAFA President Phillip Ella Juico against Obiena, the world’s number 3 pole vaulter, has imperiled the country’s gold medal campaign in various international competitions.

“Juico has done much for sports, but maybe he should retire and just give EJ Obiena his a once-in-lifetime medal run. Obiena and national glory should be protected at all costs. The PSC should exercise its mandate as provided under the Law and protected by the Constitution,” Nograles said, stressing that under Section 19, Article XIV of the Philippine Constitution, it was clearly provided that the State shall encourage sports competitions which prompted the enactment of Republic Act no. 6847 that created the PSC “as a single, unified and integrated national sports policy-making body.”

In the same Law, PATAFA as a National Sports Association is subject to supervisory and visitorial powers of the Commission, Nograles noted.

“Who should compete for the Philippines? Obiena as the Asian Record Holder at 5.93 meters is the best-qualified athlete in Asia, followed by China with 5.80 meters. Can Philip Juico take his place and pole vault that high?” Nograles asked.

PATAFA, the country's governing body for athletics, announced on Tuesday that Obiena will be dropped from the national training pool. It said it will also file an estafa case against the pole vaulter after an investigation conducted by PATAFA found that Obiena had misappropriated funds.

Obiena's removal from the PATAFA training pool would mean that he cannot compete for the Philippines in international events.

In reaction, Obiena said he remains committed to representing the Philippines in international events. He denied misappropriating funds of PATAFA and expressed readiness to face forthcoming charges in court. (PR)