Duterte hands out cash bonuses to Tokyo Olympic boxers, non-winners

The Philippine boxing team to the Tokyo Olympics has come back. PSC

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--President Rodrigo Duterte has pledged cash gifts of his own to all the other 18 members of the Philippine team to the Tokyo Olympics.

In a virtual courtesy call to the Philippine boxing team on Monday night, the chief executive announced that even those who failed to bring home a medal will get cash incentives from his office.

"The Office of the President will grant additional cash incentives to our athletes in the Tokyo Olympics," Duterte said.

He then announced that Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio, who each won a silver medal, will get PHP2 million from his office.

Duterte also said that he will give Eumir Marcial PHP1 million for his bronze medal finish.

The said rewards are different from the incentives mandated by the Republic Act 10699, in which Paalam and Petecio will get PHP5 million each and Marcial will take home PHP2 million.

Duterte also said that the three boxers will also be honored with the Order of Lapu-Lapu.

"That is an honor given by the Republic of the Philippines to those who have excelled in something and brought honor to the country," Duterte explained the said award.

Paalam, Petecio, Marcial, and quarterfinalist Irish Magno returned home along with the remainder of the Philippine delegation in Tokyo via Philippine Airlines Flight PR 427.

Senate Committee on Sports chairman Bong Go and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea personally welcomed the boxers the moment they arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in Pasay.

Duterte then announced that the rest of the national athletes who competed in the Tokyo Olympics will receive PHP200,000 each.

"Those who participated in all events brought honor to the country. I do not care about winning," Duterte explained the cash bonus to the non-medalists.

The MVP Sports Foundation previously announced that the non-medalists would receive PHP500,000 each from them.

[Related Story: MVP Sports Foundation pledges PHP500K to Olympic non-medalists]

Duterte has already pledged to gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz PHP3 million and a house and lot from his office.

[Related Story: Duterte gifts Diaz with PHP3M, house and lot as gold medal winner returns home]

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