THE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has stepped in and called for a ceasefire between Filipino Olympic pole vaulter EJ Obiena and the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa).
In a statement released on Nov. 24, the PSC urged both parties to stop issuing statements to the public and on social media.
The PSC also warned that failure to resolve this brouhaha may result in consequences as far as financial assistance to the national sports association is concerned.
“While we wish for the matter to be handled with confidentiality, we are bound by duty to mediate and call both parties to the table in the interest of truth and arresting the damage this tussle has done on our country’s image in the international sporting world,” read the PSC statement.
“We now demand the parties to refrain from issuing statements to the public and on social media. We hope the imposition of this moratorium will allow this proposed dialogue a chance to help all of us arrive at a proper resolution on this matter.”
“The PSC believes that alternative dispute resolution is an efficient tool and alternative procedure for conflict resolution between the federation and the athlete.”
“Should this option fail, we regret that the PSC shall be constrained to implement actions that would negatively redound to the concerned federation with regard to financial assistance,” said the PSC.
Even though the PSC had earlier said that it would take a hands-off approach to the matter, it emphasized that they are taking this matter very seriously.
“On this issue between the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) and national athlete EJ Obiena, we assure everyone that we at the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) did not take the matter lightly.
“Even before issuing our previous statement that ‘we shall intervene when appropriate,’ we have already quietly started a series of separate dialogues with each of the concerned parties, with the quick and just resolution of the issue in mind.”