SENATE President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has filed another resolution commending and congratulating Filipino Olympian and national pride Ernest John “EJ” Obiena for his successful campaign in the 2025 pole vault indoor season, where he won one silver and two gold medals in recent competitions held in Germany, France and Poland.
Obiena’s latest achievements, Estrada said, have firmly established him as a young icon among the greatest sports heroes — embodying the world-class skill, fortitude, and relentless pursuit of excellence of the Filipino people – and deserving of another commendation from the Senate.
“He continues to bring great pride, prestige, and honor for the Philippines with his successive accomplishments in athletics and remarkable performances before the international stage. His impressive comeback and return to winning form following his recovery from a debilitating lower back injury is an inspiring tale of resilience, unyielding spirit and unwavering passion for the sports,” Estrada said in his filed Senate Resolution No. 1327.
The two-time Olympian opened his 2025 indoor campaign with a silver medal at the International Jump Meeting held at Lausitz-Arena in Cottbus, Germany on January 25, after clearing the 5.65-meter mark. It was his first tournament since prematurely ending his 2024 pole vault season and opted out of three elite competitions in August last year due to a fractured vertebra.
He claimed his first gold of the season on February 8, 2025 after topping the eight-man field at the Meeting Metz Moselle Athlelor held at L’Anneau-Halle d’athlétisme de Metz in Metz, France, with a season-best jump finish of 5.70-meter jump.
Obiena continued his winning streak, securing another gold at Orlen Copernicus Cup in Toruń, Poland, on February 16, 2025. He dominated the eleven-man lineup and delivered his best performance of the season by clearing the 5.80-meter bar, surpassing his previous personal best record for the year.
Estrada had previously sought the Senate’s commendation for Obiena in 2022 after he achieved his most successful medal haul – 22 gold, two silver, and three bronze medals – in pole vaulting competitions within a single year.
“His achievements at such a young age should be made known and celebrated to inspire the youth to enter into sports which foster self-discipline, character development, and patriotism. Obiena is indeed a national pride whose triumphs, world-class skill, and display of sportsmanship enhance the country’s image and standing in the international community,” Estrada said in sponsoring Resolution No. 18 which was adopted by the Senate on September 19, 2022.