Hidilyn Diaz forgives Panelo over ‘oust Duterte matrix’ inclusion

Gold medallist Philippines’ Hidilyn Diaz stands 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)

MANILA, Philippines — Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz on Sunday said she has forgiven Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo for her inclusion in the alleged matrices to oust President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Napatawad ko na po siya, (I have forgiven him),” Diaz said in Vice President Leni Robredo’s program in dzXL when asked of her opinion of the former Palace spokesperson.

“As a Catholic and Christian, napatawad ko na po siya at masasabi ko lang na may rason bakit nangyari iyon at ito, naiuwi ko ang gold medal para sa Pilipinas.

(As a Catholic and a Christian, I have forgiven him and I can say that there is a reason why it happened, and here we are, we brought the gold medal for the Philippines.)

Earlier, Panelo said he was “sorry” for hurting Diaz’s feelings, but insisted that he has nothing to do with the matrix other than being the one who merely presented it “upon the instructions of the President.”

The former presidential spokesperson also insisted that he did not say that Diaz was part of an alleged plot to oust Duterte even if it was him who made public in 2019 six matrices of what he described as a network of personalities purportedly wants to overthrow the Duterte administration.

“When reporters noted the name of Ms. Diaz in the matrix two years ago and hastily concluded that the government is declaring her to be part of an ouster plot against the President, I immediately issued a statement averring otherwise,” Panelo said on Tuesday.

Diaz made history as the first Filipino to win an Olympic gold medal in the women’s 55 kilograms weightlifting at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday.

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