Olympic medalist Hidilyn Diaz gets P500,000 reward from Senate

Lady weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz on Monday received a cash reward from the Senate for winning a silver medal in the Rio Olympics last month.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III personally handed P500,000 to Diaz in a simple rites at the Senate building in Pasay City.

"She is the toast of the country, a courageous girl who trained hard to pursue a dream. Her never-say-die spirit should inspire us to aim higher,“ Pimentel said.

“Her achievement is an example of the courage and indomitable will of the Filipino athlete,” the senator added.

The Senate has adopted Sen. Manny Pacquiao's resolution commending Diaz for his win in the women's 53-kilogram category in weightlifting at in the Rio Olympics held last month.

She was the first Filipina to win an Olympic medal.

Diaz qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics after winning three bronze medals in the International Weightlifting Federation World Championship in Houston, Texas.

Diaz has also received a P5-million incentive from the government for her Olympic win. World-famous boxer Pacquiao had also given the lady weightlifter a cash reward. —ALG, GMA News