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The Palace is hoping that Obiena and PATAFA can ‘thresh out’ their differences.

Malacanang hopes that the conflict between pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena and the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) will be addressed soon.

After the PATAFA announced its decision to remove Obiena from the national squad and pursue an estafa case against him, Acting Presidential Spokesperson, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, released the following statement.

“We continue to support all of our athletes, including our star pole vaulter EJ Obiena, and we hope that whatever disagreements he may haveโ€ฆ between EJ and the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, hopefully, they will all be threshed out for allegations of fund misuse and other such allegations,” he said during a Palace press conference.

He said the Palace will keep an eye on the situation because the ball is now in the hands of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Commission on Audit (COA).

“Documents have already been forwarded to the Philippine Sports Commission and the Commission on Audit,” he said, adding, “so let us await future developments or if they will issue a statement on that matter.”

The PATAFA inquiry committee recommended that Obiena be kicked from the national team “immediately” on Tuesday.

It also plans to file a criminal charge of estafa against Obiena for allegedly failing to turn over EUR 6,000 (PHP360,000) for the wages of Vitaly Petrov, the Tokyo Olympian’s coach, from May to August 2018.

Petrov’s employment as the federation’s coach will also be terminated immediately once PATAFA files a complaint with World Athletics for “violation of the Integrity Code of Conduct.”

The federation will also declare James Lafferty, Obiena’s sponsor and adviser, persona non grata.

The PATAFA also stated that it intends to send a copy of its report to the PSC and the COA.

Obiena “misappropriated the amount of EUR 61,026 (PHP3,661,608 more or less) which was released to him by the Patafa/PSC as payment for Mr. Petrov’s coaching fee but which was not paid as of August 2021,” according to the PATAFA’s report.

Obiena’s mother, Jeanette, “misappropriated the amount of PHP624,116.76 she claimed from PSC on the pretense that it is a reimbursement of the coaching fee paid to Mr. Petrov for the months of January to March 2019,” according to the report.

Obiena, for his part, stated he will continue to train in order to represent the Philippines in international contests and that he is prepared to face the PATAFA’s charges.

“Even if I am removed from the national pool, I will always be willing to compete for the flag and the country I adore.” “I am prepared to face all cases and charges brought against me in any court or forum,” he said in a statement in response to the recommendation to launch estafa cases.

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