FORMER Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) chairman Monico Puentevella pressed the alarm button as the country’s top sports officials scrambled to find a win-win solution in the simmering controversy involving the Philippine Athletics and Track and Field Association (PATAFA) and pole vault champion EJ Obiena.

Saying the issue was a simple misunderstanding blown out of proportion, Puentevella expressed concern that the dispute may plunge the country deeper into crisis if it is not resolved amicably as soon as possible.

He also raised the issue of government intervention if and when the dispute reaches the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“Let’s settle the issue amicably. Walang panalo dito, lahat tayo talo. Kaya dapat maayos na ang gusot habang may panahon pa,” said Puentevella during the initial episode of “Sports on Air Weekly” vodcast last Jan. 14.

A long-time sports official, Puentevella urged both parties — PATAFA and president Philippine Juico and Obiena — to submit to mediation by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), headed by Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez.

“Ngayong nandyan na yan problema, solusyon na lang. Let’s leave it to Chairman Butch (Ramirez). Hayaan natin sya na mag-mediate for about two weeks to one month. Alam na niya kung anong gagawin diyan. Matagal ko sya nakasama dyan sa PSC at alam ko ng madami na sya nagawa. I admire yun mga nagawa ni Butch all these years,” explained Puentevella.

The 75-year-old sports leader, who also served as Bacolod congressman fron 2001-2010 and mayor from 2013-2016, cautioned his fellow officials about government intervention.

“Now, may warning ako. A word of caution. Huwag na sumali dito ang Congress at Senate. Mahirap kapag nalaman ng IOC ito. Hoy, government interference yan. Masu-suspinde pa ang Pilipinas sa Olympics sa Paris,” said Puentevella, also the president of the Samahang Weightlifting ng Pilipinas.

“Kaya yun mga tumatakbo sa eleksyon, tabi muna kayo. Pag gusto mong tumakbo, tabi kayo. We don’t hit anybody here from Congress and Senate pero wala kayong paki dito. I am credible because I am not running anymore. I’m not in Congress anymore. Pero huwag na silang sumali dito. Kaya relax, kaya namin ito.”

Puentevella claimed the POC general assembly on Jan. 26 could be another battleground.

“Simple lang ito kung hindi ako pipigilan. I don’t really know, kasi minsan pag tumira ako, may mga ayaw na ako magsalita kasi alam nila may tinatamaan ako. Diretso ako kasi. I’ve been too long.

Kwarenta anyos na ako dito sa (Philippine sports). Matagal na ako at ito ay isa sa pinakamagulong nadaanan ko na POC,” claimed Puentevella.

He said he plans to ask POC president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and the General Assembly to withdraw the persona non grata issue slapped by the Executive Board on Juico.

“For me, masyadong dito nagsimula ang gulo na lumaki. Pagkatapos ng sabihin ko, ito isang motion lang. I-removed ang persona non grata kay Juico.”

He will also call on the PATAFA to reinstate Obiena to the national pool.

“Kapag nakapasa sa floor, tapos na yan.I know mahirapang makapasa ang persona non grata kasi we are 50-55 members. Ilagay mo na 50 ang boboto, kailangan nila mga 38 votes or 3/4 votes of the voting members. Naging personalan na kasi.”

“Sa PATAFA naman I know they will reconsider as per my readings kay Chairman Cong. Rufus Rodriguez. So, ibabalik sa national pool. Wala na yung tira kay Juico, wala na yung tira kay Obiena. Everybody happy.”

“Sa totoo lang. Hindi naman ito talaga malaki. Pinalaki lang. Naging personalan na. Now, pag hindi sila sumunod sa motion ko. Bahala na sila, magkakagulo ito. Banatan na ito, banatan na ito.

Pangit sa ating bayan at masisira silang lahat dito.” With reports from Gab Ferreras