Robredo to receive highest PHL award 100 days after death

The late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo will be awarded the Quezon Service Cross, the highest award the Philippines can bestow on Filipinos, 100 days after his death.

 

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the award will be bestowed on Monday in Malacañang, 100 days after Robredo died in a plane crash off Masbate on August 18.

 

“He will be awarded the Quezon Service Cross on Monday. This is the highest award the Republic can bestow to any Filipino. It is an award bestowed with the concurrence of the two houses of Congress,” Lacierda said over government-run dzRB radio.

 

Robredo died in a plane crash along with two pilots of a Piper plane en route from Cebu to his native Naga City. His death triggered a period of national mourning.

 

His colleagues in Malacañang and former constituents in Naga City had hailed him for his “tsinelas (rubber slippers) leadership,” saying he was very approachable and connected with the common Filipino.

 

President Benigno Aquino III led a state funeral for Robredo.

 

Quezon Service Cross

 

The Official Gazette said the Quezon Service Cross was meant to be “the highest national recognition of outstanding civilian service in the gift of the Republic.” 

 

The Gazette said the last time the Quezon Service Cross was conferred upon an individual was in 2004.

 

“The Quezon Service Cross is unique in that the President nominates individuals (limited to Filipino citizens only), but the nomination must be approved by Congress,” it said.

 

Since its creation in 1946, only four people have been awarded the Quezon Service Cross. These include:

 

Nomination

 

The process of nomination and awarding of the Quezon Service Cross is as follows:

 

1. Nominations for the Quezon Service Cross are submitted to the Honors Committee for their consideration;

 

2. The Honors Committee submits their recommendation to the President of the Philippines;

 

3. Upon the President’s approval, he executes a letter to the leadership of both the House of Representatives and the Senate of the Philippines for Congress’ approval;

 

4. A Resolution shall be enacted by each chamber concurring with the nomination of conferment of the Quezon Service Cross upon an individual;

 

5. The Quezon Service Cross is awarded by the President of the Philippines. - VVP, GMA News