Duterte adds P1 million bonus for each gold medal

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has thrown in additional P1 million for every gold medal won by a Filipino athlete in the just-concluded Asian Games in Indonesia.

Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez made the announcement yesterday after being informed of Duterte’s move by Special Assistant to the President Bong Go.

The President will also award an extra P500,000 for every silver and P200,000 for every bronze medal in the Asian Games.

The medalists (four golds, two silvers and 15 bronzes) will receive the cash incentives from the President on Sept. 12 in Malacañang. Ramirez said he has instructed his office to expedite the release of the incentives for the coaches.

Golfer Yuka Saso, who won the individual gold and helped the three-woman squad win the team gold, stands to receive the biggest cash incentive among the medalists.

The 17-year-old is now bound to get P9 million, counting the P2 million from the PSC, another P2 million from the Philippine Olympic Committee, P1 million each from the President, Siklab Foundation head Dennis Uy and Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Lee Hiong Tan Wee, and her share in the team gold.

The two other gold medalists, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz and skateboarder Margielyn Didal, now stand to receive P7 million each.

Philippine Olympic Committee under president Ricky Vargas has promised its own package -- P2 million for gold, P500,000 for silver and P300,000 for bronze.

The Siklab Foundation headed by businessman and sports patron Dennis Uy has pledged P1 million for the gold, P500,000 for silver and P250,000 for bronze.