Ni NOEL ABUEL
Umapela ang isang kongresista sa publiko na huwag husgahan ng masama si Tokyo Olympian at world’s number 6 pole-vaulter Ernest John “E.J.” Obiena kasunod ng sigalot sa pagitan nito at ni Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president Philip Ella Juico.
Ayon kay House Deputy Speaker at Valenzuela City 2nd District Rep. Eric Martinez, kailangan munang alamin ng publiko ang tunay na pangyayari at huwag basta husgahan si Obiena.
“We should not jump to conclusions right away without a hint of due process involve in resolving this issue,” sabi ni Martinez.
Nabatid na nakatakdang alisin ng PATAFA si Obiena sa listahan ng national team matapos ang imbestigasyon sa kabiguan umano ng huli na bayaran ang coaching fees ng coach nitong si Vitaly Petrov at pagdaraya sa liquidation documents sa kabila ng pagsunod at pagpapakita ng kaukulang dokumento nito.
“We do not treat a world class Filipino athlete like that, he is the future of Philippine Athletics,” ani Martinez.
Sinabi pa ni Martinez na una nang naglabas ng pahayag si Petrov na nabayaran na ito ni Obiena.
“The highly-respected Ukranian coach even mentioned that he did not initiate any complaint against Obiena and understands that the delay on the release of his coaching fees is not the pole-vaulter’s responsibility,” sabi pa ng kongresista.
OnlineBalita news 