Tolentino and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William Ramirez are seeking an additional ₱510 million (£8.1 million/$10.4 million/€8.9 million) of funds from the Philippine Government, as reported by Philstar. 

This is on top of the ₱207 million (£3.6 million/$4.3 million/€3.6 million) allocated to the PSC for 2021. 

Of the extra funding, ₱150 million (£2.4 million/$3 million/€2.6 million) would go exclusively on preparations for Tokyo 2020, with ₱100 million (£1.6 million/$2 million/€1.8 million) earmarked for South East Asian Games preparation. 

The rest would be allotted to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Asian Beach Games, Asian Indoor Martial Arts Games, Asian Youth Games, Asian Youth Para Games, and South East Asian Para Games.

Tolentino claimed the additional funds would help the Philippines earn its first Olympic gold medal. 

"Tokyo could be that host city where the country could win not one, not two, but probably more Olympic gold medals in 2021," said Tolentino.

"And along this line, the athletes need all the support in their bid to accomplish what has never been achieved before."

The Philippines will have a number of medal hopes at Tokyo 2020, including world gymnastics champion Carlos Yulo, world boxing silver medalist Eumir Marcial and pole-vaulter EJ Obiena.

Olympic weightlifting silver medallist Hidilyn Diaz and boxing world champion Nesthy Petecio are yet to qualify for the Olympics but will also be considered potential gold medallists. 

So far, the Philippines have claimed three silver and seven bronze medals.