MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang says it would have responded to the mother of the country’s lone Olympian appealing for financial help had it received the letter which she claims to have sent.

On Wednesday, February 12, the Palace clarified that the Malacañang Records Office does not have any record of receiving a letter supposedly sent by Maria Terese Martinez, the mother of Filipino Winter Olympic figure skater Michael Martinez.

“If we had received one, I am certain that we would have responded one way or the other,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a text message.

The Palace’s denial echoes that of Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) head Richie Garcia, who also said there was no truth to claims that it ignored Martinez’s campaign for the Winter Olympics. Garcia explained the PSC wrote Martinez a check of $7,000 or more than P300,000.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr added at Wednesday’s briefing that they were told by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) that it extended financial help to Martinez, as did private institutions.

Coloma reiterated there was “no letter” received by Malacañang requesting assistance, but said he understood Martinez’s mother’s efforts to find funding.

“If their needs are not covered by existing programs [for athletes], it is upon the initiative of the athlete or the facility of the athlete to look for additional resources in order to help them pursue athletic competition in foreign lands,” he said.

But in an interview with Catholic News Service, the athlete’s mother said she did not only reach out to President Benigno Aquino III for financial help and did not receive a response, she also mortgaged her house.

“My house is mortgaged. It’s a crazy investment,” Maria Teresa Martinez was quoted as saying. “I don’t even think anyone at the President’s office knows there’s a Filipino skating in the Olympics.”

Coloma disagreed.

“Since the beginning, we recognized his participation and we knew about his skills and we are hoping for a favorable outcome in his participation in the Olympics,” he said.

In a statement, Coloma also said the Palace “joins the nation in applauding his Olympic participation” and “will accord [Martinez] due recognition for proudly representing the country and exemplifying the tremendous talent and potential of our youthful athletes” when he returns from Sochi.

The 17-year-old Martinez is the country’s lone competitor in the Games, and is the first Filipino figure skater to represent the Philippines at the Winter Olympics in 22 years.

Martinez will see his first action on the ice on Thursday, February 13, for the men’s short program. The short program, which will air live on TV5 from 11 pm to 3:30 am, is the qualifying round wherein the top 24 skaters will advance to the free skate program. – Rappler.com