Probinsyano Ako Partylist Rep. Jose “Bonito” C. Singson Jr. on Thursday, July 29 dared government to grant Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz another victory by stating categorically that she has nothing to do with accusations that she was part of the plot to overthrow the Duterte government.
Singson, a member of the House Committee on Youth and Sports, aired this challenge as he congratulated Diaz for making Fiilpinos proud by winning the country’s first gold medal in an Olympics game.
Singson said that until government categorically declares Diaz to be innocent of any accusations, real or imagined, she will not have peace of mind which she truly deserves as sports heroine of the country.
“We ask that Hidilyn be spared from red-tagging once and for all. What truly matters now is for government to clear her name,” the partylist lawmaker said.
In a recent television interview, the Philippines first Olympic gold medalist said she hopes her fellow Filipino athletes will not face the same dilemma she experienced when her name surfaced in the so-called matrix of personalities plotting to oust Duterte in 2019.
“As an athlete, ayaw kong maging political and I have to focus on things that I need to do,” she told CNN Philippines.
Chief presidential legal adviser Salvador Panelo blamed the media for the incident.
On the other hand, President Rodrigo Duterte, during a talk with Diaz, asked her to “let bygones be bygones.” Singson is of the belief that there has been no explicit declaration by government that the Zamboanga City native had nothing to do with the alleged anti-Duterte plot.
“It is now for the government to make the next move. Hidilyn and the rest of our athletes who have been working hard to bring honor to our country should be given the assurance that they are insulated from politics,” said Singson, chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts.
“But first, government must state now that she has nothing to do with the Oust Duterte move. Unless officials believe the matrix to be true, apologies are clearly in order,” he stated.