Senators file 12 resolutions commending Hidilyn Diaz for her Olympics win

Twelve resolutions were filed by senators on Tuesday to honor and commend Hidilyn Diaz for giving the Philippines its first-ever gold medal in the Olympics.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel F. Zubiri Senators Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Risa Hontiveros, Manuel “Lito” Lapid, Nancy Binay, Richard  Gordon, Imee Marcos, Joel Villanueva and Emmanuel “Manny” D. Pacquiao have filed separate resolutions a day after Diaz’s successful bid.

Under Senate Resolution 763 filed by Sotto, the lawmaker acknowledged Diaz’s dedication and sacrifice when she trained in Malaysia since February 2020.

Sotto noted how Diaz’s character was tested when the Malaysian government imposed lockdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing her to train using bamboo sticks and large water bottles as makeshift weightlifting equipment.

Apart from this, Sotto lauded Diaz for choosing to work hard for her medal even if it means working out in an open-air carport prior to the 2020 Summer Olympics.

“Her historic victory at the 2020 Olympic Games will greatly inspire and guide Filipinos in general and the youth in particular that no dream is unreachable and no goal is unattainable as long as one devotes himself or herself to the achievement of that dream and goal through hard-work, perseverance, and sacrifice,” Sotto wrote.

Meanwhile, Drilon’s resolution lauded Diaz for bringing joy, honor and pride to the country and she has “lifted the hopes of an entire nation amid the uncertainties and challenges that we face today.”

Commissioned officer

Senator Panfilo Lacson, in an interview with CNN Philippines, suggested that the Armed Forces of the Philippines should give Diaz a rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the Philippine Air Force.

“She is now a duty sergeant, that is her rank in the Philippine Air Force. I think she deserves to be given a commissionship. A commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Philippine Air Force if the regulations or the AFP regulations would warrant it,” Lacson said.

“As chairman of the Senate committee on national defense, I would strongly recommend to the AFP leadership to give her a rank as a commissioned officer of the Philippine Air Force. That is the least that the service can do to her or give her,” he added.

Moreover, Senators Francis Tolentino, Sonny Angara, and Juan Miguel Zubiri filed a separate resolution that will establish the Philippine Senate Medal of Honor award in recognition of outstanding athletes, uniformed personnel, scientists, and exceptional individuals or institutions for their extraordinary service and invaluable contributions to nation-building.

“By virtue of the Philippine Senate Medal of Honor, the proponents of the said resolution stressed that core values of excellence, integrity, patriotism, nationalism, and hard work, among others worthy of emulation, will be nurtured and further cultivated for the common good of the sovereign Filipino people,” Senate Resolution 781 stated.

This proposed Senate recognition will be given to those individuals or institutions that will give honor in various fields of expertise such as sports, military and defense, law enforcement, science and technology, education, humanitarian, and even in other forms of public service—including the field of journalism.

More senators have commended Diaz on winning the weightlifting tourney on Monday.

“She is truly an inspiration to all Filipinos on her dedication, on her perseverance at equally important, tinalo pa niya [ang] China, at walang giyera (she was able to defeat China without going to war),” Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said in ANC interview.

Senator Joel Villanueva also said Diaz's win was “extra special” as she defeated China in the Olympics.

“Sobrang saya at extra special because China gusto umagaw ng 1st gold natin,” he said.

(We are very happy and it is extra special because China wants to claim our 1st gold.)

In a statement, Senator Pia Cayetano said the Philippine national anthem “sounded so sweet” when it was played during the awarding of Diaz’s gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics.

“When you burst into tears as the Philippine flag was being raised, millions of Filipinos wept with joy with you. The national anthem never sounded so sweet! Mabuhay ka, and congratulations also to your crew of coaches, trainers, and the people you relied upon everyday,” she said.

Diaz’s victory also shows that women can excel in sports if they were given opportunities and support, she emphasized.

“Your Olympic gold-winning and record-breaking feat further proves that women athletes can excel with the right breaks, training, and support. And I hope the future generation of young Filipinos will follow your lead - hard work, dedication, faith and perseverance!” she ended.

Diaz won the country's first gold medal in the Olympics after conquering the women's 55-kg weightlifting event of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Monday at the Tokyo International Forum.

She finished with a total score 224 kg, lifting 97 in the snatch and 127 in the clean & jerk to outduel China's Liao Qiuyun for the gold.

Her historic win ended a near century-long Olympic gold medal drought since the Philippines first competed in the games in 1924. — RSJ, GMA News