Patafa: No due process

The Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (Patafa) cited the lack of due process in the Philippine Olympic Committee’s (POC) decision to suspend it for 90 days.

Patafa said it was not given a chance to dispute the charges against it, especially the allegation that it refused to endorse its athlete, EJ Obiena, in the World Athletics Indoor Championship and the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Patafa stressed that it did not drop the 26-year-old Obiena from the roster, but told him that his endorsement will be given as soon as their mediation being brokered by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) had been completed.

Patafa agreed to enter into mediation with Obiena as early as December to make him eligible to compete in international tournaments, but the star pole vaulter only agreed to a reconciliation in February.

The mediation between Patafa, led by Philip Ella Juico, and Obiena is now ongoing. After stalemates in the first two rounds last week, Obiena postponed the third due to a prior commitment.

“Patafa did not refuse to endorse EJ Obiena in the international competitions,” the federation said in a statement.

“In the Patafa letter dated 28 February 2022, Patafa responded to EJ Obiena that ‘it will not act on your letter dated 24 February 2022 pending the completion of the mediation process organized by the PSC.’ The deferral of any action on EJ Obiena’s letter is consistent with the directive of the Senate Committee to undergo mediation, which Patafa is currently participating in.”

“Patafa was not afforded any due process and has yet to receive any official document on the alleged POC suspension,” added the federation.

Patafa was most successful during the 30th SEA Games in 2019. It was recognized as NSA of the Year by the Philippine Sportswriters Association.

It is in good standing with the World Athletics with its president Sebastian Coe saying he supports the federation despite its “internal problem” with its athlete.

According to the Olympic charter, National Olympic Committees like the POC are mandated to recognize NSAs endorsed by their respective international federations.

“Patafa is fully recognized and supported by the World Athletics as the sole governing body of the athletics sport in the Philippines. This fact was affirmed by no less than the World Athletics president Sebastian Coe in a letter dated 10 February,” the federation said.

“Patafa is the most bemedaled NSA that competed in Olympic sports in 2019. It established four new Philippine and SEA Games records.”

Still, despite the suspension Patafa said it will continue to prepare athletes for major international competitions.