Filipino pole vaulter Ernest John "EJ" Obiena took to social media to voice his disbelief over misleading narratives implying that he made remarks about the personal life of fellow Pinoy Olympian Carlos "Caloy" Yulo.
"It’s a sad state of affairs when stories are fabricated to get clicks and likes and shares," Obiena said in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
"Journalism is a noble profession driven by FACTS. It’s a shame it is sometimes abused," he added.
Obiena shared that he has been friends with Yulo for many years and intends to remain so for decades to come.
He also clarified that he does not compete with Yulo and respects his fellow athlete, noting that Yulo is a great champion for the country.
"I am proud of him. I am thankful for the glory he has brought our country," Obiena stated.
Furthermore, he said that he doesn't comment on his own private life and does not want outsiders making comments about it either.
"That’s why it’s called “Private life”. It’s personal. It’s nobody else’s business," said Obiena.
With these values in mind, he further stated that he does not comment on someone else's personal life, including that of two-time Olympic gold medalist Yulo.
"I HAVE NEVER MADE A SINGLE COMMENT regarding Caloy’s private life and I never shall. Any assertion otherwise is outright libel. I know when to keep my mouth shut; and when it comes to anyone’s private life this is one of those times," Obiena added.
He encouraged people to check his social media accounts to understand his sentiments rather than relying on what he described as "clickbait sites" that fabricate stories, asserting that such practices can be seen as abuse.
Moreover, he stated that he is focused on preparing for the upcoming season and urged individuals to concentrate on supporting Filipino athletes rather than creating false drama to sell advertising space.
