Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz receives a Congressional Medal of Distinction and P1.4 million from House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez at the House Plenary Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2016. ABS-CBN News
Filipino Olympic heroine Hidilyn Diaz got another fitting reward, this time from the House of Representatives.
Diaz, who won a silver medal in Olympic weightlifting in Rio de Janeiro, was accorded the Congressional Medal of Distinction by the House of Representatives.
She was also handed P1.5 million which was raised by members of the House, according to Spin.ph.
1Pacman Party-list Rep. Mikee Romero said the amount was collected from congressmen who shelled out P5,000 each for the first Filipino to win an Olympic medal in 20 years.
Diaz is the second Filipino athlete to be accorded the Congressional Medal of Distinction. Boxing superstar and now Senator Manny Pacquiao also received the same recognition twice for his exploits in the boxing ring.
“Expect many of our athletes to make serious attempts to bring home international competition honors soon. They will surely draw inspiration from what Diaz has been reaping so far,” Romero said.
Diaz has already received a P5 million check from the Philippine Sports Commission for her feat in the 2016 Summer Olympics.
President Duterte also rewarded her P2.5 million for uplifting the morale of Filipinos.
(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)
Hidilyn Diaz, Rio Olympics, Weightlifting, House of Representatives, Congressional Medal of Distinction,