Philip Juico steps down as PATAFA president

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Philip Juico, the controversial sports patron who figured in a back-and-forth with Filipino pole vaulting sensation EJ Obiena, will be resigning as the president of the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA).

The decision was finalized during PATAFA’s board meeting held at the Makati Diamond Residences and will have the national sports association’s former executive vice president Agapito Capistrano as his replacement.

Despite two more eligible years remaining in his term as PATAFA’s president, Mr. Juico chose to leave the post.

Juico will serve as a board member of the PATAFA and will still be involved in some of the decision-making after being elected as chairman emeritus.

“The PATAFA shall always remain steadfast to its core values of integrity, honesty, competence and sincerity, the same values required of all PATAFA athletes, coaches and other stakeholders,” said Juico.

The past several months had been tough for Juico especially during the window where he and Obiena engaged in a liquidation controversy involving his training funds when he was still training outside of the Philippines.

However, the issue has been resolved a few months ago when Obiena confirmed his reconciliation with Juico and PATAFA which caused his activation in the national team and represented the country during the Southeast Asian Games where he ended up winning the gold medal.

Juico said that the reason why he resigned as PATAFA’s president was to spend more time with his family.

“I am not leaving PATAFA or the sports community, as it is here where my heart lies but for now, I look forward to more family time and an opportunity to concentrate on personal and business interests and ventures and community advocacies,” added Juico.