President Rodrigo Duterte gave a surprise to Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Marcial during a virtual courtesy call moments after arriving in the country, Monday evening.
The Office of the President gave 2020 Summer Olympics silver medalists Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam an additional P2-million in cash incentives while bronze medalist was given an additional P1-million on top of what Republic Act 9064 will give them.
“In addition to what the law gives you, my office will grant additional cash incentives to the athletes that competed in the Tokyo Olympics,” said Duterte.
Besides the incentive, the trio will also be bestowed the Order of Lapu-Lapu — a national order of merit conferred by the President of the Philippines to officials and personnel of the government and private individuals in recognition of invaluable or extraordinary service in relation to a campaign or advocacy of the President.
Earlier, gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz was given P3-million by the same office and the Presidential Order of Merit.
Duterte also announced that the rest of Team Pilipinas will also receive P200,000 for participating in the Olympiad.
“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,” continued Duterte.
“I do not care about winning that is why they will receive P200,000 from my office.”
This means that receiving P200,000 are gymnast Caloy Yulo, weightlifter Elreen Ando, skateboarder Margie Didal, golfer Yuka Saso, pole vaulter EJ Obiena, swimmer Luke Gebbie, boxer Irish Magno, 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.
All will also be given a Presidential Citation.
“Kung nakulangan kayo, pakisabi lang at dagdagan natin. Kulang pa ba? That is all the money that we can affored,” quipped the President.
“Congratulations to all of you at mabuhay kayong lahat!”
Marcial was just grateful after the announcement.
“Maraming salamat po sa suporta ng Pangulo sa amin. Nagbibigay talaga siya ng inspirasyon sa ating mga atleta,” he told News5’s Lyn Olavario as he was also promoted to sergeant in the Philippine Air Force.
