Nesthy Petecio Hopes Prize Pledges Will Be Promises Kept

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Nesthy Petecio said she hoped the incentives that were promised to her for a podium finish in boxing would be delivered, adding she had planned how to spend it on her family.

The 29-year-old Petecio was reacting to 1996 Atlanta Olympics silver medalist Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco's statement that he didn't receive everything that was pledged to him after his victory in the summer games.

No other Filipino boxer won in the Olympics after Velasco until Petecio. It was a 25-year-long wait.

"Siguraduhin ko muna 'yung mga pinangako. Baka po tayo magaya kay Sir Onyok Velasco po. Sisiguraduhin ko po muna kasi lahat po 'yun para sa pamilya ko, may nakalaan na po lahat 'yun so planado ko na po, kaya sisiguraduhin ko kasi baka umiyak po kami lahat e, mahirap na po," Petecio said during a press conference on Wednesday.

Philippine Olympic Committee chief Bambol Tolentino said it would be hard for companies that pledged rewards for athletes to renege on their promises, with social media keeping tabs.

"They'll be risking their companies, I don't think so, mahirap 'yun... unless mag-file sila ng bankruptcy," Tolentino said.

Petecio, 29, is set to take home at least P17 million in cash rewards from the Philippine Sports Commission, tycoons Manny Pangilinan and  Ramon Ang and House Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero.

Petecio is also promised at least two residential properties: a P10-million condominium in Davao City from real estate developer Andrew Tan, and P2.5-million house and lot in Candelaria, Quezon from Ovialand.

Philippine Airlines also promised to reward her 60,000 Mabuhay Miles annually while AirAsia pledged five years of unlimited flights. Cebu Pacific promised all 19 Filipino athletes and training teams participating in the Tokyo Olympics 25 free flights.

Iced tea brand Nestea said it would give Nestlé products for her hometown Santa Cruz in Davao del Sur and a non-government organization of her choice.