EJ Obiena Confirms Offers To Compete For Other Countries, To Stay Loyal To Phl

Despite his ongoing row with the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA), pole vaulter Ernest John “EJ” Obiena has committed to stay loyal to the Philippines as he confirmed offers to compete for other countries.

“I have always believed that loyalty is a core virtue,” Obiena said in a Facebook post on Monday, Nov. 29.

Obiena’s longtime mentor Jim Lafferty’s previously admitted that the pole vaulter has been getting several offers from other nations to compete for them.

“This is a fact. It is also true I have been approached several years ago already by other nations, floating lucrative pay packages to compete for their flag,” Obiena said. 

Read More: Obiena Getting ‘Multiple’ Passport Offers Amid PATAFA Row – Mentor

But Obiena stressed the lucrative offers didn’t matter and he said “no” to them, keeping in mind that “loyalty matters.” “I love my country. I am proud to compete for the flag of the Philippines.”

He said he would get chills every time the national anthem would be played after every win and the Philippine flag would be raised.

“Every time I step on the podium I force myself not to cry, kasi papangit sabay baka maging meme pa like [Michael Jordan] (because it may look ugly and may even become a meme like MJ),” Obiena added, referring to the American basketball superstar.

He vowed not to abandon the Philippines only because of money and that he has no desire to change nations despite his feud with his national federation.

While Obiena said he sees other social media posts encouraging him to switch allegiances, he added “this is not who I am and why I do this.”

“I want to win for [the] Philippines and show the world what we can do. I want to win for us,” he emphasized. 

“I have realized I may at some point have no option. I cannot accept to be accused of false allegations and have my reputation smeared. I know I may at some point be forced into choices I don’t want to make. It seems to be happening a lot lately like defending myself in a rushed (press conference),” he said. “But my goal is focused on winning gold medals for my nation, my country, my flag – (the) Philippines.”

PATAFA accused Obiena of falsifying liquidation reports and ordered him to return 85,000 euros (P4.8 million) which was intended to pay for the salary of Obiena’s Ukrainian coach Vitaliy Petrov.

In turn, Obiena filed a countermeasure against the national federation before the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and World Athletics.

“Speaking of loyalty, this is the foundation of my strong defense (against) these allegations. When one values loyalty, one cannot comprehend how my own ‘mother organization’ turned on me, never consulted with me, never asked me any questions, never gave me the benefit of the doubt. That’s not loyalty. Again, at least not how I define it,” he said. 

Obiena is currently No. 6 in the world pole vault rankings as per World Athletics, and holds the Asian record in the men’s pole vault category of 5.93 meters.

The PSC, meanwhile, is giving Obiena and PATAFA until Dec. 15 to submit the signed mediation agreement on their messy dispute. Should both parties sign the agreement, the next step would be assigning a mediator to settle the dispute. PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez has volunteered to be the mediator.