GOING the extra mile in acting as a peacemaker, the Philippine Sports Commission yesterday asked the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, pole vaulter Ernest John Obiena, and the Philippine Olympic Committee to resolve their problems among themselves “like sportsmen.”
Speaking on behalf of the PSC board, Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez laid down four demands that he hoped would finally settle the simmering issue that has been hounding Philippine sports for nearly two months now — that Obiena finish his liquidation of his accounts so we can continue to support him;
“Demand that Patafa reconsider its declaration of dropping EJ from the national pool roll, provide him with an appeal mechanism and not to execute their decision immediately;
“Demand for the POC to bridge the two parties as the mother organization of both and reconsider their decision of declaring Mr. Juico persona non-grata on promoting peace in elite sports; and
“Demand for Patafa, Obiena and the POC and all the parties who wish to stoke the fire of this ‘mad’ issue to stop.”
Ramirez said: “You have all publicly recognized the PSC and asked us to help resolve the issue, please listen to us on this simple request. Stop issuing public statements and come to the table with us to discuss this matter. We have said this before and we are saying this again. Let us resolve this like sportsmen. The issue has dragged on and has pulled the nation’s name to the mire of negativity in the international sports scene.
“We all pledge our love for the country, we trust you will heed our call immediately. Para sa Inang Bayan!”
Setting all personalities and other things aside, Ramirz reminded the parties involved that “this a simple case of liquidation. EJ has given his partial liquidation report and the documents are now being examined and verified.
“This is a good step. Do not allow anyone to use those against you (Obiena) by getting it done. Finalize your liquidation and then you can focus on the other concerns.”
The controversy, the PSC chairman said, enabled the government sports agency to “take a second look and have started to craft policies on the requests of NSAs to fund and support someone into becoming an athlete at the international level. “
As an offshoot of this issue, he said that “we will implement stricter guidelines on granting financial assistances to NSAs and will require their submission of a disciplinary code or protocol, in case anything happens in their sport.
“We shall also be requiring them to include the policy on arbitration within their by-laws as mandated under Republic Act 11232 (the Corporation Code).”
All National Sports Associations are required to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission to merit support from the government sports agency under Republic Act 6847, the law creating the PSC.
“Failure to comply with these two policies by the end of the month (of January) shall constrain the PSC board to review and reconsider granting of assistances to all non-complying NSAs,” Ramirez underscored.
Based on its mandate, Ramirez reiterated the PSC “is primarily a funding agency, the government’s arm to give it support to the national team in the realm of elite sports.
“The training, disciplinary efforts and choosing the national team rosters fall under the baton of the NSAS (National Sports Associations) and their personality in international competitions under the POC. These are the roles we take in sports.”
