Hidilyn Diaz 'forgives' Malacañang for including her in 'oust Duterte' matrix

Hidilyn Diaz has "forgiven" Malacañang for wrongfully including her in the 2019 matrix of alleged plotters reportedly planning to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Yes, napatawad ko," she said in an ANC interview on Thursday.

The Olympic gold medalist said she had been bashed and received threats due to the issue, but Hidilyn said she also felt thankful because the experience actually made her stronger and more determined as an athlete.

"Sa totoo lang, after winning the gold medal, nung time na 'yun, sabi ko, I have to forgive all of the people na binash ako and my life. Na-threat ako. 'Yun 'yung down moment ko," the athlete said.

"Pero, a'yun nga, na-realize ko na 'yun ang nagpalakas din sa akin eh. As an athlete, mas lalo akong naging determinado. Mas lalo kong minahal ang Pilipinas," she added.

[To be honest, after winning the gold medal — at that time, I said I have to forgive all of the people who bashed me. I was threatened. That was a down moment for me. But I realized, it also made me stronger. As an athlete, it made me more determined. It made me love the Philippines more.]

"So thankful din ako sa kanila kasi, kung siguro wala akong ganon na trials, baka hindi ako maging gold medalist today."

[So I'm also thankful to them because if I didn't go through that trial, I might not have become a gold medalist.]

When asked if she still would have wanted an apology, Hidilyn said she preferred to "move forward," get some peace of mind, and do her best to represent and serve her country.

"For me now, 'di na. Para sa'kin, okay lang. At the end of the day, mas kailangan ko 'yung peace of mind ko. As long as nag-move forward ako, at nagawa ko ng maayos at na-serve at ni-represent ko ang Pilipinas, masaya ako," she added.

[For me now, an apology is no longer needed. At the end of the day, I value my peace of mind more. As long as I'm able to move forward and I have been able to serve and represent the Philippines well, I am happy.]

"And hindi ko kailangan na sinasabi ng iba, kasi alam ko kung ano ang totoo. Para sa'kin, 'yun ang importante, at may peace of mind ako."

[I know the truth. My peace of mind is most important for me.] 

In 2019, then Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo publicly named Diaz as one of several personalities involved in an alleged plot to oust Duterte.

Panelo, who insisted that the list came from the Office of the Chief Executive, eventually cleared Diaz and blamed the media for "faulty analysis."

Senator Richard Gordon on Wednesday urged Malacañang to apologize or at least admit its mistake to the Olympic gold medalist.

While Panelo maintained that he had nothing to do with the matrix, he said he only needed to apologize to Diaz for hurting her feelings. — Margaret Claire Layug/LA, GMA News