President Duterte said he is "very happy with the results" of the country's performance in the 31st South East Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam as he honored the Filipino athletes at the Malacañang Palace on Tuesday night.
"I'd like just to express... there's no other time that I feel so proud for my country because you're here. You did a good job and I'm very happy with the results," Duterte told the athletes and coaches who paid him a courtesy visit.
Duterte said "it is not really winning" that has made him happy, but "going there just to give the country an image." He also expressed his appreciation for the athletes' "record-breaking feats" amid challenges brought by Covid-19 pandemic.
"Though maligaya ako na maraming medalya ang nakuha natin (I'm really glad that we took home lots of medals)," he added as the country bagged 226 medals in the event.
"I deeply thank you for representing the country with resiliency, excellence, and sportsmanship and for bringing pride and honor to the Filipino amidst the challenges you had to face in this uncertain time," he said as he awarded the athletes cash awards and the Order of Lapu-Lapu with the Rank of Kamagi.
Meanwhile, the President also lauded the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and its coaches behind the winning feat of the athletes.
He said their "involvement in this feat is truly significant and worthy of commendation."
He then urged the PSC to keep their support to the Filipino athletes to keep them motivated in "aiming for more victories in the future."
"As we unite our efforts to achieve real and lasting change in our society, it is my hope that even beyond my term, our athletes will continue to uphold the competence, discipline and commitment that we Filipinos are known all over the world," he said.