By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
President Rodrigo Duterte gifted all the Tokyo Olympians with extra cash incentives on top of what they received from the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), and tycoons Manny V. Pangilinan and Ramon S. Ang.
Duterte first surprised gold medalist weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz with P3 million and the Presidential Order of Merit.
Upon their arrival this week, the Office of the President also confirmed the additional cash incentive of P2 million for silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio and P1 million for bronze medalist Eumir Marcial.
“In addition to what the law gives you, my office will grant additional cash incentives to the athletes that competed in the Tokyo Olympics,” Duterte said.
Another good news came in after President Duterte opened the conversation about the other Olympians who weren’t able to deliver a podium finish for the Philippines.
Pres. Duterte will give out P200,000 each to all non-medal Olympians aside from the 500,000-pesos gift rewarded by the POC and MVP.
Those who will receive the P200,000 cash gift from the Office of the President are Ilongga boxer Irish Magno, gymnast Caloy Yulo, weightlifter Elreen Ando, skateboarder Margielyn Didal, golfer Yuka Saso, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, swimmer Luke Gebbie, rower Cris Nievarez, golfer Bianca Pagdanganan, judoka Kiyomi Watanabe, swimmer Remedy Rule, sprinter Kristina Knott, jin Kurt Barbosa, shooter Jayson Valdez, and golfer Juvic Pagunsan.
“It is not an everyday occurrence that we receive such an honor from our citizens. You went to Tokyo to fight and I say that you did your best. The Filipino people appreciate it especially bringing honor to the country,” Duterte added.
