President Duterte has pledged to give all Filipino athletes who competed in the recently concluded Tokyo 2020 Olympics additional cash incentives, regardless if they won in their respective events or not.
The President made the announcement during his virtual meeting with Silver medalists Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, Bronze medalist Eumir Marcial, and Olympic athlete for boxing Irish Magno on Monday, August 9.
During their meeting, Duterte said the Office of the President (OP) will give the following cash incentives to the following athletes in addition to what the law gives them:
- Paalam, additional P2 million
- Petecio, additional P2 million
- Marcial, additional P1 million
- Magno, P200,000
Under the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act, Olympic gold, silver, and bronze medalists are entitled to P10 million, P5 million, and P2 million, respectively.
Meanwhile, President Duterte said the other athletes who participated in the Olympics will also receive P200,000 for bringing honor to the country.
He added that medalists will receive presidential citations and Order of Lapu-Lapu medals for excelling in the sports event.
"It is not an everyday occurrence that we receive such an honor from our citizens of the Republic of the Philippines. You went to Tokyo to fight and I'd say you did your best and the Filipino people appreciate it, especially bringing honor to the country," Duterte told the Filipino Olympians.
"Those who participated in all events brought honor to the country, irrespective of-- I do not care about winning that is why they will receive P200,000 all of you, all other Olympians will receive from my office," he added.
Duterte likewise jested that athletes should just inform Malacañang if the additional cash incentives were not enough.
"Paki-alam lang at sabihin dadagdagan pa natin ng dagdag kung tingin niyo kulang. Kulang pa ba (Just tell us if we should add more if you think it is still not enough. Is it not enough)?" he said.
"That is all the money that we can afford, actually. Congratulations again at Mabuhay kayong lahat!" he added.
The President also joked that with the money they got, the athletes can now get married.
On July 28, President Duterte pledged to give weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz P3 million and a fully furnished house in her hometown of Zamboanga City for bringing home the country's first Olympic Gold medal from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics on July 26.