Philippines boxing team in Tokyo Olympics (from left) Irish Magno, Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio, and Eumir Felix Marcial (Contributed photo)
MANILA – The House of Representatives on Wednesday adopted resolutions conferring the Congressional Medal of Distinction to boxers Nesthy Petecio, Carlo Paalam, and Eumir Felix Marcial for winning two silver medals and a bronze for the Philippines in the recently concluded Tokyo Summer Olympics.
During the plenary session, the chamber adopted House Resolutions 2093, 2122, and 2116 congratulating, commending, and conferring the Congressional Medal of Distinction on the three Filipino boxers.
Petecio bagged a silver medal at the women's featherweight final at the Tokyo Olympics, while Paalam and Marcial, clinched silver and bronze in the men’s boxing flyweight and middleweight categories, respectively.
“Winning a medal at the Olympics was no easy feat as our boxers had to compete against the best athletes in the world,” Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, who is an author of the resolutions, said. “Nesthy, Carlo and Eumir are considered as our national heroes in sports.”
The Congressional Medal of Distinction is given to Filipino achievers in sports, business, medicine, science, and other fields.
Velasco said it was the same award given by Congress to weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz five years ago when she won a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The House recently adopted a resolution conferring the first-ever Congressional Medal of Excellence to Diaz for winning the country's first-ever Olympic gold victory in the Tokyo Games.
Velasco said the Congressional Medal of Excellence was created to give honor and commendation to “exceptional modern-day national heroes in sports who win the gold medal in the Olympics.”
On Monday, the Philippine Sports Commission formally released the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor)-funded cash incentives to the Olympic achievers during their courtesy visit on President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang.
Getting the lion’s share of the cash windfall was Diaz, who received a total of PHP15 million.
Rewarded with PHP5 million each were Petecio and Paalam for their silver medal finish, while Marcial received PHP2 million for his bronze medal finish.
Also given cash incentives were the athletes’ coaches and trainers, which is equivalent to 50 percent of their wards’ financial rewards.
Diaz’s trainer, Antonio Agustin Jr. received a total of PHP5 million for helping the weightlifter achieve the historic feat. Likewise, boxing coaches Elmer Pamisa, Nolito Velasco, Ronald Chavez and Reynaldo Galido received cash incentives from the state-run gaming firm. (PNA)
