POC formally declares Popoy Juico persona non grata, but embattled chief will remain as PATAFA president

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has formally declared Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president Philip Ella "Popoy" Juico persona non grata over the athletics body's rift with pole vaulter EJ Obiena.

During a General Assembly on Wednesday, POC ratified the earlier decision of its executive board to no longer recognize Juico as the athletics body chief.

A total of 54 regular national sports associations (NSAs) attended the GA with 36 voting yes to declaring Juico persona non grata, including athletes' commission member and Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz and swimmer Jessie Lacuna.

"They favored the executive board's decision on the complaint filed by Olympic pole vaulter Ernest John 'EJ' Obiena against Juico for harassing a world-class Filipino athlete by making malicious public accusations against him last November," POC's statement read.

Eleven NSAs were a "no vote," which means they didn't sign the motion, while five NSAs in weightlifting, wushu, squash, athletics, and hockey opposed the motion.

Tolentino said, however, that Juico is not ousted or suspended as PATAFA president. He said the GA can revisit the executive board's decision if Obiena withdraws his complaint or if the pole vaulter and Juico reach an agreement.

"He is still the PATAFA president for other matters without recognizing him, but they still have their vice president and secretary general who can attend POC activities," he said.

"We do not need a 3/4 or 2/3 vote because we're not ousting and suspending him as president. We are only declaring him as persona non grata but still, 36 is 2/3 votes of the POC," he added.

The move to ratify the persona non grata decision came after Obiena pulled out from the mediation offered by the Philippine Sports Commission, citing bad faith on the part of PATAFA.

—MGP, GMA News