Duterte confers Gawad Mabini on Manalo, 5 other DFA execs

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday recognized the efforts of diplomats who pushed for the country’s independent foreign policy in a ceremony held in Malacañang.

Duterte conferred on six officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) the Gawad Mabini based on the recommendations of the agency.

“Thank you for upholding and promoting our country’s independent foreign policy, strongly founded on our national interest and carried out through the diversification of our international ties to secure our political, economic, and socio-cultural objectives,” he said.

“Your unwavering dedication has enabled our country to achieve major foreign policy and national economic goals. Your efforts have also safeguarded and promoted the welfare and the rights of Filipinos residing abroad,” he added.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for policy Enrique Manalo was bestowed with Gawad Mabini with the rank of Dakilang Kamanong (Grand Cross) for managing the tension between the Philippines and China after The Hague handed down its landmark arbitration award on the West Philippine Sea issue in July 2016.

Philippine Permanent Representative to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Ambassador Elizabeth Buensuceso was awarded the rank of Grand Cross for her work on the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea.

Another Dakilang Kamanong rank awardee was Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz, for successfully evacuating and repatriating around 6,000 overseas Filipinos in Libya amid a civil war.

Former consul general of the Philippine Consulate General in New York, Ambassador Mario de Leon, was conferred with the Grand Cross rank for promoting trade opportunities between the Philippines and New York and for unifying Filipino-American communities to support worthy causes like providing assistance to the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda.

Two other DFA officials also received Gawad Mabini with the rank of Dakilang Kasugo (Commander) were Vice Consul Theodore Andrei Bauzon for his work in Iraq and Director Ryan Francis Gener for his stint with the Philippine Mission in the World Trade Organization, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Geneva Caucus, and the National Economic Development Authority in drafting the services agreement with the European Free Trade Association. — BAP, GMA News