For their historic campaign in the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo, Hidilyn Diaz and boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Marcial were honored with the Senate Medal of Excellence.
It’s the highest award the higher chamber can bestow on an individual.
“Ms. Diaz did not just win the gold medal, she also won against poverty,” said Senate President Tito Sotto.
“She also won over depression and fear while she was training in another country and her name was being dragged in politics.”
Sotto authored Senate Resolution No. 882 to honor Diaz as the Senate also gave her a P1-million incentive.
The senate gave a total of P2.4-million, with each senator pledging P100,000.
Petecio and Paalam were given P500,000. Meanwhile, Marcial was given a P400,000 check.
The senate also adopted Resolutions no. 828, 833, and 813 to honor the boxing trio. They were authored by Miguel Zubiri.
Also present was Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino – who was lauded by the senate, especially fellow Caviteno Bong Revilla – as the winningest president to ever hold the committee.
Paalam could not attend the special day.
