PATAFA chief Popoy Juico slams POC after getting declared persona non grata: 'The process was railroaded'

Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president Philip Ella "Popoy" Juico aired his frustration on the decision of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) to tag him as persona non grata over his rift with pole vaulter EJ Obiena.

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

Juico said, however, that the POC did not give any chance for the GA to verify the resolution.

"The process was railroaded. Again, there was no due process because there was no division of the house," the embattled chief said in a statement.

"POC claimed that a pre-circulated resolution was signed by 36 POC members who affixed their signatures WITHOUT ANY resolution having presented during the General Assembly for voting and neither I nor several other POC members received this resolution as the same resolution to be voted on during the General Assembly," he added.

Juico said that the development will not hinder the PATAFA's efforts to uncover the truth behind the alleged misuse of funds of the world no. 5 Obiena, which largely involved the salaries of his coach, Vitaly Petrov.

"I may now be persona non grata in the eyes of the POC, but this will not distract us in our quest for truth, accountability, transparency and justice in our federation," he said.

"If this is the price I have to pay for holding my athlete accountable, so be it. I have nothing to be ashamed of. I will step out of the POC with my head held high," he added.

In a previous interview, Juico said he will contest the decision as "POC ordered a resolution of an issue that is not within their jurisdiction, saying the matter is an "intra-NSA issue and should be resolved first within the PATAFA."

The POC clarified, however, that Juico will remain as the PATAFA president as he was not ousted or suspended from his position.

—MGP, GMA News