Hidilyn Diaz's manager says no prior 'conditions or restrictions' about the lifetime fuel incentive were communicated
Noel Ferrer, manager of Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, has spoken up anew about the latter's free lifetime fuel incentive from Phoenix Petroleum.
In a statement sent to PhilSTAR L!fe, Ferrer acknowledged the fuel company's claims, but stressed that no “conditions or restrictions” were communicated to them when the reward was given.
"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," he said.
Ferrer added that they were only informed about the brand alignment condition two years later, adding that no agreement barred Hidilyn from partnering with other petroleum companies.
"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," he said.
"There was also no agreement or condition communicated that would prevent Hidilyn from entering into partnerships with other petroleum companies," he continued.
He added, "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."
He went on to underscore that his earlier statements as Diaz's manager were "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," he said.
Ferrer added that Diaz "remains grateful" for the support people have given to her and that they respect Phoenix Petroleum's decision not to continue the fuel benefit.
He said that Diaz's historic Olympic win was about bringing honor and pride to the country, and not about any prizes.
"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," he concluded.
Diaz's free lifetime fuel incentive resurfaced when a social media user brought it up amid the rising costs of fuel due to the Middle East conflict.
On Thursday, March 12, Ferrer revealed that Phoenix Petroleum gave Diaz's supposed "lifetime" free fuel incentive only for the first two years after her win.
As a response, Phoenix Petroleum said that the fuel incentive stopped in 2022 after Diaz signed with another fuel brand.
"We fulfilled our commitments. As with many corporate donations, such arrangements are guided by conditions, including brand alignment. As circumstances changed and Ms. Diaz engaged with another fuel brand, the fuel donation arrangement could no longer continue under the same terms," they wrote.
They lamented: "It is, therefore, puzzling that, five years later, this matter has resurfaced online amid discussions about rising fuel prices, leading to misleading narratives and unfair criticism directed at Phoenix Petroleum."
Diaz made history as the first Filipino to win Olympic gold in the women’s 55 kg weightlifting at Tokyo 2020.
