MANILA, Philippines — Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas president Monico Puentevella expressed deep concern on Senate’s decision to recall the proposed 2022 budget of the Philippine Sports Commission over the EJ Obiena-PATAFA impasse.
“If you’re trying to find a rat, don’t burn the whole house down,” said Puentevella.
“By recalling the PSC budget, you’re actually ruining every athlete’s Christmas season. Athletes aside from pole vaulter EJ Obiena will suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune during this rude catastrophic pandemic and Christmas,” Puentevella pointed out.
The former Bacolod congressman and former PSC commissioner said the government sports body does not have anything to do with the internal affair of the PATAFA.
“My humble advise is leave this problem to PATAFA and the athlete concerned. I’m sure they’re all mature enough to sort this out.
The Senate recalled its approval of the PSC’s proposed P364.24-million budget for 2022, with Sen. Pia Cayetano calling out the PSC for its approach in the PATAFA row.
But the PSC has made a move, officially starting mediation procedures to resolve the impasse.
But both parties would have to sign the paper the PSC called “mediation submission agreement” before the process could even progress.
If Obiena and the PATAFA sign the agreement, the next step will be the appointment of a mediator like PSC chairman William Ramirez, who has volunteered for the job.
“The role of the mediator is merely to facilitate communication, identify issues and help the parties arrive at a settlement,” said Ramirez. “My role as mediator is not to decide who is right or wrong.”