MANILA — The Philippine Senate conferred medals of excellence to Olympic medalists Carlos Yulo, Aira Villegas, and Nesthy Petecio as it also honored  the Philippine delegation to the just concluded Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

The Senate also granted double Olympic gold medalist Yulo with P3 million in cash incentives.  

Senate spokesperson Arnel Banas confirmed that aside from giving Yulo P3 million in cash, the Senate also gave P1 million each to bronze medalists Aira Villegas and Nesthy Petecio.

Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino said that last August 14, 2024, the Philippine Senate adopted the following resolutions conferring the Senate Medals of Excellence on  the  medalists as well as the resolution congratulating and commending Team Philippines, the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission:

1. Adopted Resolution #131 or the resolution conferring the Philippine Senate Medal of Excellence on Carlos Edriel Yulo for winning for 2 gold Medals in the Men's Floor Exercise and vault events at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France.

2. Adopted Senate Resolution #132 or the resolution conferring the Philippine Senate Medal of Excellence on Aira Villegas for winning the bronze medal in the 50 kilogram category of women's boxing at the 2024 Summer  Olympics in Paris, France

3. Senate Resolution #133 or the resolution conferring the Philippine Senate Medal of Excellence on Nesthy Alcaide Petecio for winning the bronze medal in the 57 kilogram category of women's boxing at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris France

4. Adopted Resolution #143 or the resolution congratulating and commending the Philippine delegation, the Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippines Sports Commission for historic and successful campaign at the Summer Olympic Games held from July 26 to August 11, 2024 in Paris France.

The Olympic medalists as well as the rest of the delegation attended the Senate's session on Monday to receive their latest honor and commendation. They gamely posed for pictures with the Senators and Senate Staff.

Senate President Francis Escudero led the institution in showing the Filipino Olympians their appreciation.

"The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris holds special significance as it marks the centennial of Filipino athletes’ participation in the Olympic Games – beginning in 1924, also held in Paris, France, when we proudly became the first representatives from Southeast Asia. How fitting it is that 100 years later, we celebrate not just a milestone but an extraordinary and historic achievement—the Philippines brought home two gold and two bronze medals! We also witnessed the stunning performance of our athletes in the Men’s Pole Vault and Women’s Golf Individual events, very narrowly missing a podium finish but nonetheless deserving of as much recognition and gratitude from the Filipino people,” Escudero said.

"The Senate Medal of Excellence is automatically bestowed and conferred on deserving Filipinos, such as Olympic medalists, for setting the “highest standards of excellence, nationalism, and virtue that their fellow countrymen can aspire for. It is an expression of gratitude on behalf of the nation for the honor that such outstanding and distinguished achievements have brought to the country,” Escudero said. "With immense pride, the Filipino people commend you for etching the Philippine flag in the annals of history on the grandest stage of sports. Your success has not only brought honor to our nation but has also cemented the Philippines’s position as the top-performing Southeast Asian country since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics."