MANILA, Philippines – World boxing champion and neophyte Senator Manny Pacquiao is considering giving a cash reward to Filipina weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz for bagging the silver medal in the 2016 Olympics.
“Iniisip ko na ‘yan, (I'm already thinking about it)” Pacquiao said when asked by reporters on Tuesday, August 9.
Pacquiao, however, refused to divulge the exact amount he plans to give the Filipina athlete since it will come from his own pocket.
“Wag na natin i-announce kasi di naman (Let us not announce it because it is not) government money 'yan. No need to announce that,” Pacquiao said.
Pacquiao earlier said he would personally give P5 million to each Filipino athlete who would win a gold medal in the prestigious Olympics.
Prodded by reporters if it would be less than P5 million, Pacquiao only said:
“Eh 'yung gold medal P5 million. 'Wag na natin i-announce (For gold medal, it's P5 million. Let us not announce it)."
Pacquiao, the chairman of the Senate sports committee, is set to conduct an inquiry into the government’s failure to give incentives to winning athletes as mandated by law. – Rappler.com