Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 11)— Filipino pole vaulter EJ Obiena said he is not inclined to accept offers of donations from fans despite financial issues that forced him to skip a tournament.
In a social media post on Friday, Obiena said that while he is “deeply touched” by his supporters’ generosity, asking for help “doesn’t feel right” as they have already done their part as taxpayers.
“I am a national athlete and my expenses have been approved for payment by the [Philippine Sports Commission] and funded from taxpayer revenues,\” Obiena said.
\”As all of you are taxpayers, I must respect that you have already paid for my training,” he also said.
“It is just not the right thing to do to ask you to pay once via paying taxes, and then pay again privately,” Obiena added. “This is ‘double dipping’ and it’s not ethical.”
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