THE country's top pole vaulter, Ernest John "EJ" Obiena, can rest easy now after the Commission on Audit (COA) recently declared that he did not misuse the P10 million training fund that was directly given to him to disburse and liquidate.
Senator Pia Cayetano, a staunch supporter of the athletes and Philippine sports in general, took to Facebook to share the good news.
The lady senator wrote, "The #truth is finally out!"
It can be recalled that Patafa, the national governing body for track and field, and Obiena had a long rift that resulted in the latter missing the world indoor championships in Serbia as the former did not endorse his participation.
The controversial row even became a national concern as some senators filed a motion to cite Patafa in contempt for disobeying the Senate Committee on Sports' order for Patafa to amicably settle its differences with the Olympian athlete.
It was an answered prayer that both parties agreed to settle through a mediation process led by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) then headed by former chairman William "Butch" Ramirez.
Obiena then competed in the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, and defended his gold medal.
Cayetano said that as per COA, "The PSC has committed to follow state auditors' recommendations to prevent similar situations in the future where the #athlete is unduly burdened with liquidation duties, instead of just focusing on training and competition."
She hopes that the harassment of Obiena must end and that no other athlete would experience the same ordeal that he went through when all he wants is to compete and bring honor to the country.
Obiena, who vaulted his way into the final of the World Athletics Championship in Oregon, USA, thanked Cayetano for her support. "I will do my best in the finals for all 110 million Filipinos," he said on his July 23, 2022, Facebook post.
The COA report is a liberating truth that has vindicated him from Patafa's allegations. Netizens, however, questioned what becomes of his accusers now?
Since Obiena and Patafa have already settled their spat through the mediation process, there's no point in digging into the issue again, unless, of course, the world-class athlete thinks otherwise.
It would be best for Obiena to just focus on his sport and training so he can improve and achieve more for the country. Let his achievements do the talking. As he said, he's got 110 million Filipinos rallying behind him. That's more than enough morale booster to keep him moving forward.
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I take this space to pay tribute to a dear father and a generous mentor, Antonio M. Ajero, who was laid to rest on Saturday, July 23.
I already wrote about him on my Facebook but I just want to thank him again for being the father figure that he was to me since my biological father died when I was 17. I am so thankful that Sir Ed Fernandez, my Ateneo journalism professor, introduced us sometime in 1996 or 1997 (I was only 19 then). It was a comfort that both of them were friends of my late father.
My journalism career was never the same again since the start Sir Tony took me as a cub reporter.
Even after he retired from SunStar Davao and started his own publishing company, we never lost touch as I kept on seeking his pieces of advice on my life and career decisions.
Having him as a father who walked the aisle with me during my wedding was such a great honor and I will always treasure it in my heart.
"This wedding is like a musical!" Such was his opening statement when asked to give his message during the reception.
Sir Tony, who fondly calls me Yannie or iha, will no longer reply to my text or chat messages. But his constant "Don't forget to pray to God" or "You can handle that" will always be reminders I will cherish.
Your kindness and goodness will always be alive in my life, Sir Tony. Thank you for always believing in me.
Rest in peace, Sir Tony. Please say hello to my Papa Bong and Daddy Ram for me.