It follows the recent recirculation of articles pertaining to the sports icon’s supposed lifetime free fuel incentive amid the spike in oil prices.
In a post on Instagram last Friday, March 12, celebrity manager Noel Ferrer, who manages the country’s first Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, issued another statement.
This time, it is in response to the one made by Phoenix Petroleum, which came in light of Ferrer’s earlier pronouncement that while the national athlete did get free fuel supply, it only lasted for two years.
In its statement, Phoenix said that it did indeed happen as Diaz told them that she has already inked a deal with a rival company and did not reach out to their team again.
Ferrer, on his social media, said, “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.
Firstly, he expressed their camp’s 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 continued.
“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,” added Ferrer, who insisted that 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.”
The manager also defended his own comments made earlier in the week and said, “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.”
He also expressed that 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,” he underscored.
“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,” Ferrer concluded his statement.