Palace supports senators’ call to honor Miriam highest civilian award

Malacañang on Thursday welcomed senators’ call to honor their late colleague Miriam Defensor Santiago with the highest civilian award.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella in a briefing said Santiago’s contribution to the country was clear and certain.

“The Office of the President welcomes moves to confer the late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago the Quezon Service Cross. The late senator’s contribution to the country is beyond question. The President highly respects the lady,” he said.

“We look forward to receiving the resolution of the Senate,” he added.

Senators Sonny Angara and Grace Poe filed separate resolutions to honor Santiago with the Quezon Service Cross.

"Seriously, she deserves the Quezon Service Cross. Because rare is the Filipino who had served in the judiciary, the Cabinet and legislature, and the rarest is the one who served in all with brilliance and distinction. She was a class of her own," Angara said.

The Quezon Service Cross was created through Joint Resolution No. 4, s. 1946 enacted by both houses of Congress. It was proposed by President Manuel Roxas in honor of President Manuel L. Quezon.

For this award, the President nominates a Filipino citizen to be approved by Congress.

Only five people have been awarded the Quezon Service Cross since it was created in 1946. They are the following:

• Carlos P. Romulo - April 12, 1951
• Emilio Aguinaldo - June 12, 1956
• Ramon Magsaysay (posthumous) - July 4, 1957
• Benigno S. Aquino Jr. (posthumous) - August 21, 2004
• Jesse M. Robredo (posthumous) - November 26, 2012)

Joint Resolution No. 4, s. 1946, and Executive Order No. 236, s. 2003, stated that an individual should have performed an “exemplary service to the nation in such a manner and such a degree as to add great prestige to the Republic of the Philippines, or as to contribute to the lasting benefit of its people” to be deserving of the Quezon Service Cross. —KG, GMA News