Senators file resos lauding Pinay weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz’s Olympic victory

Several senators on Monday filed resolutions congratulating Filipino weight-lifting Olympian Hidilyn Diaz for winning the silver medal - the country's third - in the 53-kilogram class of the weightlifting event of the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

The five senators who hailed Diaz's victory were fellow athlete Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, Sen. Juan Edgardo Angara, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, and Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.

"The third silver medal won this time by Hidilyn Diaz... is an indicator that the first gold medal for our country in the quadrennial games is attainable," said Sotto in Senate Resolution No. 84.

"Filipino athletes but as well as the Philippine Olympic Committe, Philippine Sports Commission, Department of Education, Department of Interior and Local Government and other government agencies concerned with the full backing of our people should get together to work for the elusive Olympic Gold," the lawmaker added.

Malacañang had already congratulated Diaz, as it recognized the “end of medal drought” for the Philippines.

Diaz is set to receive at least P5 million in cash incentives as provided for by the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.

With Diaz's victory, the Philippine now has won three Olympic silver medals, out of the total 10 medals the country has bagged since first joining the games in 1924. The seven other medals the Philippines got were bronze.

The Senate recognized Diaz as the first Filipina athlete to win a medal in the Olympic games.

The country's two other silver medals came courtesy of boxers Anthony Villanueva in 1964 and Mansueto Velasco in 1996.

The Filipino boxers, meanwhile, who won bronze medals at the Olympics were Leopoldo Serrantes (1988, Seoul) and Roel Velasco (1992, Los Angeles). Swimmer Teofilo Yldefenso (1928, 1932), high-jump athelete Simeon Toribio (1932) and boxer Jose Villanueva (1932) also each took home bronze medals. — Mark Merueñas/RSJ, GMA News