Notwithstanding moves in the House of Representatives to confer two existing awards of commendation to Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, leaders want to create the Congressional Medal of Excellence (CME) for the newest sports pride of the country.
Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, together with Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and Minority Leader and Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph “Caraps” Paduano, filed two resolutions proposing to institutionalize the CME and make Diaz its first awardee.
Diaz had previously been honored by the Lower House with a Congressional Medal of Achievement for winning the silver medal in the weightlifting category during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics.
This reportedly prompted House officials to make moves to institutiionalize the proposed CME.
Earlier, several lawmakers filed resolutions proposing to honor the champion weightlifter with the existing highest commendation the Lower House can offer.
Philippine Olympics Committee president and Tagaytay City Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino filed House Resolution No. 2024 “bestowing the Congressional Medal of Achievement (CMA)” to Diaz for winning the first ever Olympic gold medal for the Philippines.
In filing HR 2024, Tolentino stressed that it was through Diaz’s hardwork and perseverance that the entire country is now in “euphoria.” “The Philippines has been participating in the Olympics for almost a century, and it was only Hidilyn Diaz who was able to lead the country to a Gold Medal,” said Tolentino.
He stressed that Hidilyn’s first place finish in the 55 kg category in the women’s weightlifting in Tokyo, and her record-setting performance “ s truly worth recognition and more than enough reason to call her a leader in culture and sports of the Filipino people.” Established in 2002 during the leadership of then Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. the CMA is given by the Lower House to honor “political, economic and cultural leaders who have distinguished themselves through their life-workl and their vision.” Former Russian Ambassador Igor Khovaev and the late Senator Ting Paterno were among the recipients of the CMA.
Velasco has filed a resolution honoring reigning US golf open champion Yuka Saso, a Filipina, with a CMA.
Velasco’s office said there likewise exists a Congressional Medal of Distinction (CMD) awarded to Filipino achievers in sports, business, medicine, science, and arts and culture.”
Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao received both the CMA and the CMD for bringing honor to the country with his many international boxiing titles, including unprecedented eighth international boxing championships in 2010.
In filing House Resolution 204 proposing to bestow Diaz the first CME, Velasco stressed that the Zamboanga City native “gratitude and recognition from every single Filipino” after clinching the very first Olympic gold medal for the Philippines.
“We thought an Olympic gold medal for the Philippines will never happen in our lifetime until it did, many thanks to Hidilyn Diaz!” Velasco said, echoing the sentiments of Filipino sports enthusiasts.
Velasco thanked Diaz for bringing joy, pride and glory to the country. “To hear our national anthem played at the Olympic podium with the gold medal around Hidilyn’s neck was priceless,” he said.