(During the early months of 2019, the so-called oust-Duterte matrix hogged the headlines. The alleged diagram appeared to link various people, including then Olympic silver-medallist Hidilyn Diaz to the destabilization efforts. The following is a reposting of INQUIRER.net’s Mark Giongco’s story on May 8, 2019 on Diaz’s reaction to the alleged conspiracy.)
LOOK: TV host @gretchenho and Filipino Olympian @diaz_hidilyn also included in the matrices released by Malacañang. | @NCorralesINQ pic.twitter.com/kzq90rjnSl
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) May 8, 2019
MANILA, Philippines—Filipino Olympian Hidilyn Diaz on Wednesday (May 8, 2019) was shocked over her inclusion in the matrices that illustrate a plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.
The bemedalled weightlifter was among the latest names revealed by Malacañang to be involved in the matrix.
In a post on Twitter, Diaz laughed off her alleged participation in the ouster plot.
“Kaya nga! Dami ko pang goals sa life and Pinas para sumali sa ganyan bagay. Nashock lang ako nalink ako sa ganyan. 😂😂,” said Diaz in reply to one of her followers who questioned her inclusion in the matrix.
(I have other goals in life and for the Philippines to join such things. I’m shocked that I’m linked to that.)
Kaya nga! Dami ko pang goals sa life and Pinas para sumali sa ganyan bagay. Nashock lang ako nalink ako sa ganyan. 😂😂 https://t.co/4XwJKVl84H
— Hidilyn Diaz OLY (@diaz_hidilyn) May 8, 2019
The 28-year-old Diaz, who ended the country’s medal drought in the Olympics after winning silver in weightlifting in the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, currently has a lot on her plate with the coming Southeast Asian Games in November and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Gold medallist Philippines’ Hidilyn Diaz stand on the podium for the victory ceremony of the women’s 55kg weightlifting competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo on July 26, 2021. (Photo by Vincenzo PINTO / AFP)
Diaz, a member of the Philippine Air Force, stressed her focus is solely on her weightlifting career, which is on the rise.
Gusto ko lang pong sabihin nasa rank 5 po ako for First 6 months ng Olympic Qualifying, ipagdasal niyo na sana makapagrank 1-5 ako sa next olympic qualifying. Marami pa po akong lalaruin kailangan ko magfocus, maniwala kay God na eto ang dream niya para sakin pic.twitter.com/45IfvgEPL9
— Hidilyn Diaz OLY (@diaz_hidilyn) May 8, 2019
“Gusto ko lang pong sabihin nasa rank 5 po ako for First 6 months ng Olympic Qualifying, ipagdasal niyo na sana makapagrank 1-5 ako sa next olympic qualifying. Marami pa po akong lalaruin kailangan ko magfocus, maniwala kay God na eto ang dream niya para sakin.”
(I just want to say that I’m in rank 5 for the first 6 months of the Olympic qualifying; please pray that I can rank 1-5 for the next Olympic qualifying. I still have a lot to do, so I need to focus and believe that this is his dream.)
Diaz wasn’t the only sports personality dragged into the diagram, with volleyball star turned TV personality Gretchen Ho also included.
Ho also denied her involvement in the matrices.