POC withdraws recognition of Philip Ella Juico as PATAFA chief
THE Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) upheld the decision of its executive board declaring Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) President Philip Ella Juico persona non grata in its hybrid general assembly (GA) meeting on Wednesday.
POC president Abraham Tolentino said 36 members, headed by athletes’ commission representative and Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn F. Diaz, voted in favor of the withdrawal of recognition from Mr. Juico.
There were five who were against, three who abstained, and 10 who did not vote.
“We’re just following the procedure and he (Mr. Juico) was given a chance to speak, explain his side,” said Mr. Tolentino.
This came less than a month after the POC executive board upheld the recommendation of the ethics committee to withdraw sanction from Mr. Juico for alleged harassment that Ernest John “EJ” Obiena had accused him for.
The PhilCycling chief said they could withdraw the decision if PATAFA and Mr. Obiena patch things up.
“Anytime Mr. Juico and EJ can reconcile and EJ withdraws his complain, the GA and executive board can revisit it,” said congressman from Tagaytay.
But it looked like the persona non grata tag could remain for a long time since Mr. Obiena declined the mediation proposed by the Philippine Sports Commission that could have put an end to the issue. — Joey Villar
