POC junked PATAFA suspension, Juico reconciled

By J.Lo

"The Executive Board of POC fulfilled its gentlemanly pronouncement and has lifted the two resolutions rendered by POC on PATAFA," Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Rep. Abraham "Bambol" Tolentino said after the organization's emergency meeting  announced it has junked its resolution declaring Philip Ella Juico persona non grata, while also lifting  suspension of  Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA).

"The lifting of the resolution hinged on  successful mediation between pole vaulter Ernest John 'EJ' Obiena and the PATAFA," he explained.

The rift between Obiena and the national sports association (NSA) ended, after they agreed to a settlement following  mediation spearheaded by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).

As a result,  PATAFA is set to reinstate Obiena into the national team roster, and endorse his participation in international competitions including  upcoming Southeast Asian Games and the Asian Games.

"As projected, there were no objections and  motions of lifting were to be considered unanimous," said Tolentino. 

The two resolutions were passed on two separate occasions, the persona non grata in December and ratified by the POC General Assembly and the second, suspension of PATAFA which Tolentino deferred for ratification by the assembly last week.

"It is therefore with great relief to announce that POC, lifts as we hereby lift the resolution declaring Mr Juico as persona non grata and lifts also  resolution suspending PATAFA as member of the POC," said Tolentino.

With the lifting of both sanctions, Tolentino said Juico and PATAFA will resume their active status with  POC. 

"As I have maintained even before, there are no losers but only winners," he added. "The main winner being the Filipino athlete."