PHL confers Legion of Honor on US Sec. of State Hillary Clinton

The Philippine government has conferred the Legion of Honor on outgoing US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for her steadfast support to the Philippines and commitment to strengthen ties between Manila and Washington.

 

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario bestowed the recognition on Clinton on behalf of President Benigno S. Aquino III in simple ceremonies at the US State Department in Washington D.C. on Tuesday.

 

Expressing appreciation for the honor, Clinton reaffirmed the US government’s commitment to strengthening the Philippines’ defense capabilities.

 

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), 69, will replace Clinton, who earlier announced that she would leave the post.

 

The Philippine Legion of Honor is the highest honor that the President of the Philippines may grant an individual without the concurrence of Congress.

 

The highest rank, Chief Commander, is normally conferred on heads of state or governments, and distinguished individuals in recognition of their importance to the Republic or for life achievement.

 

The first American to be conferred the rank of Chief Commander was US President Franklin D. Roosevelt (posthumous). Other Americans who have received the same honor include President Dwight Eisenhower, General Douglas McArthur, and Senator Daniel Inouye.

 

As Secretary of State, Clinton has signed with Del Rosario the Manila Declaration, confirming the two countries’ commitment to the objectives of the Philippines-US Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).

 

On the margins of the 2012 official working visit to the US of President Aquino, she also signed with Del Rosario a statement of support for the construction, outfitting and training of a new National Coast Watch Center for the Philippines that will enable Manila to patrol and secure its maritime borders.

 

She also strongly backed Manila’s advocacy for a rules-based approach in resolving competing claims over the West Philippine Sea through peaceful and diplomatic processes within the framework of international law.

 

On various occasions, she spoke up for the common interest in maintaining freedom of navigation, unimpeded lawful commerce, and transit of people across the resource-rich waters also claimed in part or in whole by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei.

 

Clinton likewise oversaw the Obama administration’s pivot to Asia and reaffirmed the strong military relationship between the US and the Philippines.

 

It was during Clinton's term when Manila and Washington held the first Philippines-US Ministerial Consultations in April 2012 that provided the framework for intensified dialogue and cooperation on defense and security issues. —KG, GMA News