Philippines’ Hidilyn Diaz competes in 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)
MANILA, Philippines — Caloocan City Rep. Dale “Along” Malapitan and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte disowned on Thursday the “fake” messages with their photos congratulating Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz which are now circulating in social media.
“I categorically deny that the posters/social media posts congratulating Ms. Hidilyn Diaz wherein photos of Mayor Oca and I were maliciously placed side by side came from my office nor produced by my team, Malapitan said in a statement.
“While I am very proud of Ms. Diaz, her win is hers and hers alone. This act of politicking is not new in Caloocan, though disappointing; I am not surprised.”
Despite this, Malapitan said he “remains true” to his efforts in recognizing Diaz by passing House Resolution No. 1994.
“It’s my simple way of acknowledgment and gratitude to her and our athletes,” he added.
Belmonte, meanwhile, branded as “fake” and “foul” her supposed “congratulatory message” bearing her picture.
“In a way, it is somewhat understandable that as the elections draw nearer, malicious individuals will sadly engage in more black propaganda and smear campaigns,” she said.
“Pero sana naman po, hindi niyo na dinamay si Hidilyn Diaz upang gumawa ng kasinungalingan at siraan ako,” she added.
(But you should not have brought Hidilyn Diaz into this, only to make lies and destroy my reputation.)
“Nagkaisa ang buong bansa dahil sa karangalang ibinigay niya sa bawat Pilipino, ngunit ginamit ninyo ito para sa masamang pamumulitika. ‘Foul’ po ang tawag diyan,” the mayor added.
(The country is one in celebrating the honor she gave the country, but you still use this for mere politicking. That’s foul.)
Diaz made history as the first Filipino to win an Olympic gold medal in the women’s 55 kilograms weightlifting at the Tokyo Olympics.