PACQUIAO TO GIVE CASH INCENTIVE TO RIO SILVER MEDALIST HIDILYN DIAZ
By Aquiles Z. Zonio
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 10 Aug 2016
MAKATI CITY ? Senator Emmanuel D. Pacquiao revealed he will give cash incentive to Hidilyn Diaz who won a silver medal in the women?s Weightlifting event (53-kilogram division) in the ongoing Rio Olympics.
Senator Pacquiao did not specify how much, saying ?Not really big. The amount will come from my own pocket.?
Senator Pacquiao believes the current Duterte administration will also give cash bonus to Diaz, who virtually put an end to the country?s 20-year medal drought in the Olympic games.
The country?s last Olympic medal was during the 1996 Atlanta Games when Mansueto ?Onyok? Velasco bagged a silver medal in boxing?s Light Flyweight division.
Until now, however, the P2.5 million cash incentive promised by the government has not yet been received by Velasco.
?Malaking karangalan para sa bansa ang ginawa ni Hidilyn Diaz at nararapat lamang na bigyan siya ng parangal at gantimpala,? Senator Pacquiao said.
Senator Pacquiao, chair of Senate Committee on Sports, has vowed to look into the miserable plight of the sports sector in the country to improve the performance of Filipino athletes in international sports competitions.
?Magpapatawag tayo ng committee hearings upang malaman natin kung ano ang nangyayari sa sports sector ng ating bansa,? Senator Pacquiao said.
According to Senator Pacquiao, being an athlete himself, he has first-hand knowledge of what is happening to the country?s sports.
?Kailangang magkaroon ng pagbabago. Modesty aside, sports ang nagbibigay ng malaking karangalan sa bansa noon pa man,? the boxer-lawmaker said.
From being a struggling boxer, Senator Pacquiao ? through hard work, discipline and strong faith in God ? metamorphosed into a global sports icon whose charisma transcended even cultural and racial boundaries.
He promised to institute reforms in the country?s sports beset for years by neglect, corruption and too much politicking.
?We need to take a closer look at the country?s sports program. Something must be done to improve the quality and performance of our athletes,? the neophyte lawmaker said.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Aquiles Z. Zonio.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Vayson aims to make history
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 18 Sep 2025KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
Thu, 18 Sep 2025Day Two of 2025 USA Boxing National Open Delivers 108 Action-Packed Bouts in Tulsa
Thu, 18 Sep 2025Bryce Mills Boxes James Bernadin At del Lago Resort & Casino On Thursday, Oct. 30, in Waterloo, NY
Thu, 18 Sep 2025Caribbean Clash Returns Friday, November 7th at Gulfstream Park Casino in Hallandale, Florida
Thu, 18 Sep 2025VM Sotto, City Council Recognize GM Joey Antonio
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 18 Sep 2025Larida is Southern Coach of the Year
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 18 Sep 2025D.C. Knockout Artist Scooter Davis Signs Promotional Contract with Top Rank
Thu, 18 Sep 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 15 SEPTEMBER 2025: Crawford Snatches Canelo's Undisputed Crown at 168 Lbs; Inoue Defeats Akhmadliev to Retain 4 Superbantam Belts; Crocker Outpoints Donovan
By Eric Armit, Wed, 17 Sep 2025TICKET NEWS: EUBANK JR-BENN II ON SALE FROM THIS WEDNESDAY
Wed, 17 Sep 2025“Night of Champions” Returns to Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on September 19
Wed, 17 Sep 2025Canelo-Crawford: The Consolidation of Boxing’s New Commercial Empire
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 17 Sep 2025A New Era for Boxing: Canelo vs. Crawford Shatters Global Viewership Records on Netflix
By Dong Secuya, Wed, 17 Sep 2025Crawford Not the First Lightweight to Distinguish Himself at Super Middleweight
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 17 Sep 2025Kurt Scoby and Josh Popper Headline Boxing Insider Card September 19 in Times Square
Wed, 17 Sep 2025