Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez on Sunday batted for the institutionalization of the Congressional Medal of Excellence for national athletes who would win gold medal in the Olympic Games.
“These sports heroes deserve to be recognized and commended for bringing pride, honor and inspiration especially to young Filipinos who want to excel in their fields,” he said.
He joined Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and House Minority Leader and Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano in the filing of House Resolution No. 1981 to give due recognition to Filipinos who would win a gold in the Olympic Games.
Romualdez, along with the other lawmakers, congratulated weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz for her historic gold medal win at the 2021 Tokyo Summer Olympics.
A second Olympic gold medal for the Philippines is within reach after Filipina boxer Nesthy Petecio bested Irma Testa in the semifinals of the women’s featherweight division of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics’ boxing tournament Saturday at the Kokugikan Arena.
Romualdez said their achievements served as a testament that perseverance and dedication could be used as springboard to inspires Filipinos to soar to greater heights and achieve great success in life.
“These Filipino international achievers have overcome many trials and challenges through hard work and determination, thereby contributing to, if not restoring, national pride, dignity and self-respect. These individuals have gained personal accolades as well as international recognition both for themselves and for the country,” Romualdez’s resolution read.
“There is a need for the House of Representatives to institutionalize the Congressional Medal of Excellence to particularly give honor and commendation to these exceptional modern-day national heroes in sports who win the gold medal in the Olympic Games,” it added.
