By Carlos Manuel Eusoya

PHOTO: Tokyo 2020

As 2022 elections draw near, Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz stated that she will not be endorsing any candidate due to her neutral stand in politics.

“Ayaw kong pumasok sa anong side dito at anong side [doon]. Nasa Air Force Philippines ako, and dapat nasa neutral kami. We are here to represent and to serve the country.  Atleta din ako... a Philippine athlete. Nasa gitna lang ako,” she said in an interview with One PH last Friday.



Diaz also said that she may turn away from politicians who will ask for her support because she considers the field of politics as a messy affair.

“Sa totoo lang, medyo lumilihis ako kapag may politiko na nagtatanong kung mai-endorse ko sila. Hindi naman sa ayaw ko, pero medyo magulo ang buhay ng politiko... Kung may nagpapa-endorse, pwede tayong maging magkaibigan, pero hindi pwede iyong pagpapa-endorse,” she added.

Moreover, Diaz mentioned that her main concern about political endorsement is her values.
“Concern ko dito ang values ko, kung align kami [ng ini-endorso kong politiko],” she explained.

Nonetheless, she still encouraged Filipinos to register and vote wisely during the 2022 elections.
“Magparehistro na [ang mga Pilipino]. Para din sa kanila, kasi rights iyon ng bawat Pilipino na magboto... Magparehistro at bumoto ng tama,” she stated.

Prior to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Diaz had been included in the matrix of the “Oust-Duterte” plan presented by former Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo.



However, Diaz has already forgiven the administration for her inclusion in the said matrix.
“Wala na ako nararamdamang sakit... Para sa akin kasi, I forgive them already,” she said.

Diaz mentioned that she would be more willing to support the entire nation rather than supporting a specific political candidate or party.

“I am here to represent the country. Ini-endorse ko ang Pilipinas, hindi ang mga politiko,” Diaz ended.


Report sources: Rappler, One PH