President Rodrigo Duterte hopes Hidilyn Diaz will see him at the Malacañan Palace upon coming back to the Philippines from Olympics.
Duterte on Tuesday morning invited the 25-year-old weightlifter Diaz to Malacañan so he can personally thank her, after winning a silver medal at 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Diaz bagged a silver medal at the women’s 53-kg category in weightlifting, finishing with a total of 200-kg.
During an early morning press conference on August 9, in Davao City, Duterte said he is “overjoyed” by the silver medal win of Diaz, who also hails from Mindanao.
“As the President of this country, I’m overjoyed. Silver is silver, maski anong sabihin ‘nyo (whatever you say) so I’d like to congratulate Miss Diaz for the honor that she has given us, the country,” said Duterte.
Diaz, a native of Zamboanga City, is now the first female athlete to win an Olympic medal for the Philippines. She was also the first Filipino to get a medal in weightlifting.
“I’d like to wait for you and see you in the people’s Palace in Malacañang. Salamat for your effort. Saludo po ako sa iyo (I salute you),” Duterte added.
Diaz is the first Olympic medalist to benefit from the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives law or Republic Act 10699. Under the said law, she will be receiving P5 million in cash incentive tax-free.
For the Olympic Games, the gold medalists will be granted P10 million, the silver medalists P5 million, and the bronze medalists P2 million each.
Filipinos rejoiced on the record of Hidilyn Diaz on female weightlifting event. Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo and other lawmakers lauded her for winning an Olympic silver medal for weightlifting after a 20-year medal drought for the country. Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara filed a resolution congratulating and commending Diaz for winning a historical silver medal for the Philippines.
The 2016 Olympics is Diaz’s third participation in the Games following her 2008 Beijing and 2012 London stints.
