MALACANANG yesterday lauded gymnast Carlos Yulo and boxer Nesthy Petecio for their victories in the 49th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championship in Stuttgart, Germany, and 2019 Aiba Women’s World Boxing Championships in Ulan-Ude, Russia, respectively.
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, concurrent presidential spokesman, said Malacanang congratulates the two athletes not just for their victories but also for bringing honor and pride to the country.
“Our gold streak continues,” Panelo said after the victory of Petecio in Russia. “We expect Nesthy to shine even more in the coming Southeast Asian Games to be held in Manila next month as she carries the flag with full pride and honor in front of her countrymen.”
Panelo noted that Yulo’s historic win at the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships is a first of its kind for the country.
“The Filipino people are certainly proud of this impressive win, which qualified the young Carlos to the Olympics 2020 in Japan,” he said.
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles also extended their congratulations to the two athletes.
Andanar said more great things are expected of the athletes in the future while Nograles said the victory of the two should inspire other athletes when they compete in the SEA Games next month and the Tokyo Olympics next year.
“In fact, the burden lies not only in our sports authorities but in all of government to ensure that we build on such wins. Kayang-kaya nating makipagsabayan (We can keep pace with others),” said Nograles, who assure the public of President Duterte’s support for sports.
In the Senate, Sen. Sonny Angara is set to file resolutions congratulating Yulo and Petecio.
“Over the weekend, Carlos and Nesthy gave the entire nation two huge reasons to celebrate with their individual accomplishments in the fields of gymnastics and boxing.
They have instilled so much pride in Philippine sports and served as inspiration to our athletes to excel in their respective fields,” Angara said.
Last month, pole vaulter EJ Obiena also qualified for the Tokyo Olympics after clearing 5.81 meters in an athletics meet in Chiara, Italy. The Olympic standard for pole vault is 5.80 meters.
“We now have at least two qualifiers for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. With the way Yulo and Obiena have performed, we are all looking forward to seeing them compete with the best in the world in the quadrennial games,” Angara said.
Apart from the accolades, Yulo and Petecio are also entitled to cash incentives provided under Republic Act 10699 or the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.
For qualifying for the Olympics, Yulo, 19, is entitled to receive P500,000. The Philippine Sports Commission has announced that Yulo will be provided with an additional P500,000 for winning the first gold in world gymnastics for the Philippines.
Petecio will receive P1 million for winning the gold while fellow boxer Eumir Marcial will get P500,000 for his silver medal finish in the men’s middleweight division in the same event.
