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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Hidilyn Diaz's manager says 'no restriction, condition' on Phoenix's free fuel for life

Hidilyn Diaz's manager says 'no restriction, condition' on Phoenix's free fuel for life

Published Mar 13, 2026 08:45 pm
A day after Phoenix Petroleum released an official statement, talent manager Noel Ferrer said there was no condition or agreement regarding the oil company’s “Free Fuel for Life” pledge to Tokyo Olympic weightlifting gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz-Naranjo.
In a social media post on Friday, March 13, Noel Ferrer said in a two-page statement that they were shocked after Phoenix Petroleum terminated the deal, stressing that there had been no agreement preventing Diaz from partnering with other petroleum companies.
“First, we would like to reiterate our appreciation to all companies and individuals who supported Hidilyn following her victory. At the time the fuel benefit from Phoenix Petroleum was announced, it was presented publicly as a ‘Free Fuel For Life’ reward,” Ferrer wrote.
“And it was conveyed to us as a gesture of support and recognition for Hidilyn’s achievement for the country. Importantly, no conditions or restrictions were communicated to us at the time the reward was given,” he added.
This came after the said reward was terminated, which for Ferrer and his talent turned out to be unexpected as Phoenix’s concern of Diaz forming ties with other petroleum companies wasn’t part of the “original understanding.”
It was a response to Phoenix which previously stated that it had fulfilled its commitments.
“For this reason, it is difficult for us to understand how circumstances that arose later can now be attributed to Hidilyn,” Ferrer continued.
“It seems unfair for conditions to be introduced after the fact when the original gesture was presented to the public as purely gratuitous,” he added.
Ferrer concluded his statement by noting that his earlier remarks were factual and based on the circumstances, adding that Diaz-Naranjo and her team have no intention of creating hostility between the two parties.
He also emphasized that Diaz was grateful for all the support that she has received throughout the years and the first-ever Filipino gold medalist’s motivation was to raise the Philippine flag on the global stage, not for “free fuel or other rewards.”
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