Marcos' office to give P1M to Pinoy athletes in Paris Olympics 

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. announced that he would give P1 million to each Filipino Olympian who joined in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Marcos said this as he welcomed two-time Olympic champion Carlos Yulo and other Filipino Olympians at the Malacañang Palace Tuesday evening.

Marcos asked the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to give P1 million to each of the athletes that competed in Paris before saying that his office would match the amount, bringing the total up to P2 million per Olympian.

He said his office would also provide P500,000 for the coaching staff.

''So that's why, tamang tama nandito si Chairman... siya maraming pera eh. So, lahat naman ng atleta natin, bigyan na natin basta nag-Olympian, bigyan na natin ng tig-iisang milyon,'' Marcos said.

''Ima-match pa ng Office of the President 'yung ibibigay mo para at least may P2 million tayo. Bukod pa roon, dahil sa ating pangingilala sa lahat ng tumulong... the coaching staff, bibigyan din natin ng kalahating milyon,'' he added. 

Marcos said the amount was small compared to the Filipino athletes' sacrifices in the competition.

''Hihingi ako ng paumanhin ninyo dahil maliit lang at alam ko na 'yung isang milyong piso halimbawa ay ikumpara mo sa inyong sakripisyo, ikumpara ninyo sa inyong pinagdaanan, ikumpara ninyo napakaliit lang,'' Marcos said.

Yulo, under Republic Act 10699 signed in 2015 or the "National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act" was mandated to receive P10 million for each of his two gold medals. With the announcement, he is set to receive P22 million from the Philippine government.

Bronze medalists Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas were supposed to receive P2 million each under the same act, but are now expected to bring home P4 million. The rest of the delegation would receive P2 million each.

The country wrapped up the Summer Games at the 37th spot with two gold medals from Yulo, who ruled the men's floor exercise and vault, and two bronze medals courtesy of boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas. —LDF, GMA Integrated News