NOEL FERRER
Sana, ito na ang huling pahayag namin sa kampo ni Hidilyn Diaz sa isyung ito, dahil in the first place, hindi kami ang nanguna rito, we just set the records straight.
Kaugnay ito ng "fuel for life" incentive ng Phoenix Petroleum kay Hidilyn nang mag-uwi ito ng kauna-unahang gold medal para sa Pilipinas mula sa 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Read: Lifetime free fuel incentive ni Hidilyn Diaz, "drawing" lang
OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON PHOENIX PETROLEUM
Ito ang kabuuan ng aming statement (published as is):
“We have taken note of the statement released by Phoenix Petroleum regarding the fuel donation extended to Hidilyn after her historic gold medal win at the Tokyo Olympics.
“First, we would like to reiterate our appreciation to all companies and individuals who supported Hidilyn following her victory.
"At the time the fuel benefit from Phoenix Petroleum was announced, it was presented publicly as a ‘FREE FUEL FOR LIFE’ reward, and it was conveyed to us as a gesture of support and recognition for Hidilyn’s achievement for the country.
"Importantly, no conditions or restrictions were communicated to us at the time the reward was given.
“It was only around two years later that conditions relating to brand alignment were raised.
"This came as a surprise to us, as such conditions were not part of the original understanding when the reward was publicly announced and initially provided.
"There was also no agreement or condition communicated that would prevent Hidilyn from entering into partnerships with other petroleum companies.
“For this reason, it is difficult for us to understand how circumstances that arose later can now be attributed to Hidilyn.
"It seems unfair for conditions to be introduced after the fact when the original gesture was presented to the public as purely gratuitous.
“We would also like to clarify that the statement I made as Hidilyn’s manager was entirely factual and based on the circumstances as they occurred.
"Any public reaction that followed is not something Hidilyn or her team sought, and it certainly was not intended to create hostility toward any party.
“That said, Hidilyn remains grateful for the support she has received over the years. Phoenix Petroleum decided not to continue the fuel benefit and we respect their decision.
“Hidilyn’s journey to winning the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medal was driven by her desire to bring honor and pride to the Filipino people and to the country.
"It was never about free fuel or rewards.
"It was about raising the Philippine flag, hearing the national anthem played for the first time for an Olympic gold, and proving to the world what Filipinos can achieve when they fight for their country.
“NOEL FERRER
“Hidilyn Diaz’s Manager”
Read: Phoenix addresses Hidylyn Diaz unrealized "fuel for life" prize
JERRY OLEA
Mainit na pinag-usapan ang "lifetime free fuel incentive" ng Phoenix kay Hidilyn nang ibalita ng PEP Troika na nahinto ito noon pang 2022.
Sa statement ng manager ni Hidilyn, ang ka-Troika na si Noel Ferrer, nilinaw na walang napag-usapang anumang kondisyon nang tanggapin ng kampo ng atleta ang incentive mula sa Phoenix noon.
Wala raw sinabi kay Hidilyn na bawal itong mag-endorso ng competitor ng Phoenix.
Taliwas ito sa recent statement ng Phoenix, na tinawag na "donation" ang incentive.
At na-forfeit daw ito noong tumanggi si Hidilyn sa kahilingan ng kumpanya na i-"share ang donation online" dahil, at that time, may kontrata ang atleta sa isa pang petroleum company.
HIDILYN DIAZ NO CONTRACT WITH PHOENIX
Isa sa mga naghayag ng suporta kay Hidilyn si Atty. Wilfredo Garrido.
Sa kanyang Facebook post ngayong Marso 13, 2026, Biyernes ng umaga, ipinunto niyang walang pinirmahang kontrata si Hidilyn sa Phoenix na nagbabawal sa kanyang tumanggap ng endorsement sa ibang brand.
Kaya hindi raw dapat na-void ang agreement sa pagitan ni Hidilyn at ng Phoenix.
Pahayag ni Atty. Garido (published as is): “It turned out the gift of Phoenix Petroleum lavished upon Hidilyn Diaz was weighed down with conditions.
“She was expected to promote the brand or at least not sign up with its competitors for advertising deals.
“Because she sponsored Petron she lost the ‘lifetime’ free fuel grant after just two years. Ganern.
“Did she have a contract with Phoenix, preventing her from signing up with its competitors? Highly unlikely.
“At the time when she was being hailed as a heroine and stood on a pedestal, it would be inappropriate for any of her donors to taint their generosity with conditions.
“Unlikely as well for Hidilyn to accept when donors were showering her with gifts, out of sheer pride and patriotism, without ifs and buts.
“If you remember, she got free condos and houses and lots from developers, cars, tens of millions of cash gifts from Ramon Ang and Manny Pangilinan and many others."
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Nabanggit pa ni Atty. Garrido na mayroong lifetime flyer award din ang Philippine Airlines (PAL) kay Hidilyn.
Kahit sumasakay raw ng Cebu Pacific Air ang champion weightlifter ay hindi naman daw napo-forfeit ang incentive nito sa PAL.
At kahit nagkaroon din si Hidilyn ng property sa Century Properties, hindi rin binawi ng Megaworld ang binigay sa kanyang condo unit.
Nga lang, hindi endorsement yung pagsakay ni Hidilyn sa Cebu Pacific o yung property niya sa Century Properties.
Pagpapatuloy ng abugado: “So far, Lucio Tan has not canceled her ‘forever flyer’ award from PAL because she sometimes flies Cebu-Pacific.
“Megaworld hasn't threatened to eject her from Eastwood because she received also a house from Century Properties.
“This Dennis Uy, owner of Phoenix, is different. His generosity comes with strings attached.
“Phoenix Petroleum is named after a bird that rose from the ashes. I hope it doesn't become ashes like many of Dennis Uy's businesses.”
LIFETIME SUPPLY CLAIM IS "DRAWING" ONLY
Inaatake ngayon ng trolls si Hidilyn at ang manager niyang si Tito Noel kaugnay sa usaping ito.
Pero noong itinigil ng Phoenix Petroleum ang regalong lifetime supply of fuel after two years, tahimik at walang sinabi ang dalawa.
Nang sumiklab ang hidwaan sa Middle East at tumaas ang presyo ng petrolyo sa bansa, marami ang napa-"sana all" kay Hidilyn sa pag-aakalang tuluy-tuloy pa rin ang fuel supply nito from Phoenix Petroleum.
At noong naglabasan ang mga memes, pinag-isipang mabuti ni Tito Noel kung iko-correct ba niya ang mga ito.
Pero hindi tumitigil ang pagsulpot ng mga posts, at mukhang magpapatuloy ang assumptions hangga't tumataas ang presyo ng petrolyo, kaya nagdesisyon siyang sabihin na natigil na ito at "drawing" yung lifetime supply.
Tapos ngayon, kinukuyog sina Hidilyn at Tito Noel ng trolls. Tsk… tsk… tsk… Naku, sabayan na lang natin ang SexBomb Girls sa pag-awit at pagkembot sa "Bakit Papa?".
“Uy, lumaban si papa, matapang / Uy, lumaban si papa, matapang, aw! Laban-laban o bawi-bawi? Laban-laban o bawi-bawi?”
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GORGY RULA
Itong isyu ni Hidilyn Diaz ay hindi naman niya sinimulan. Ang layo nito sa totoong isyu ng pagtaas ng gasolina, pati ang mga bilihin.
Ramdam na namin ang mga nagtaasang presyo ng napapamalengke namin.
Ngayong araw lang ay nagbiyahe ang film director na si Direk Armand Reyes pauwi sa Sta. Cruz, Laguna. Ang dating PHP169 pesos na sinisingil sa senior citizens, naging PHP195 na raw.
Sunud-sunod na ito, at sana huwag nang tumaas pa.
Ngayong naglabas na ng statement ang kampo ni Hidilyn, isyu na nila ito sa Phoenix Petroleum.
Kung meron mang terms and conditions na kaakibat ang naturang incentive, napag-usapan ba sa simula't simula?
Kung hindi man nagpatuloy, tama bang hayaan ang netizens na isipin at ipangalandakang may lifetime fuel supply si Hidilyn?
Kumusta na kaya ang mga iba pang nag-commit ng "lifetime" incentives sa mga Olympic gold medalists natin? Natutupad kaya lahat?
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