Marcos: 2022 Metrobank Outstanding Filipinos awardees ‘true public servants’

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Friday praised the 2022 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos awardees, calling them "true public servants."

Marcos led the awarding ceremony for the awards at the President’s Hall in Malacañang Palace.

"I am thus deeply honored as I always happen to join the Metrobank Foundation in giving due recognition to the noteworthy contributions to the awardees that they have made to our society," Marcos said in his message.

"On behalf of a proud nation, I congratulate and thank all of you for your outstanding service to the country. Congratulations are not sufficient but a note of gratitude for the service that you put in. It is arguable to say that the way of life of a soldier, a policeman, and a teacher could be described as one of the most difficult and often thankless jobs that we ask our citizens. And yet, you did it and you did it well," he added.

Marcos said the awardees' constant resolve to fulfill and transcend their duties to the best of their abilities showed "what it means to be true public servants."

"You are the living embodiment of the phrase 'beyond excellence.' I know as you know that you need no award for the things you do and it is not the reason why you do them. Not for thanks, not for praise, not for honors. You do what you do because you feel the need to continue with your service and you find fulfillment in that," Marcos said.

Marcos called on the awardees to just do what they believe was right and "do it with all your heart."

"This is what you have done. This is what you have kept to the idea that no matter what challenges are put before you, you will continue to serve," Marcos said.

This year's awardees included four teachers, three soldiers, and three police officers. The recipients were:

• Mr. Junmerth C. Jorta, Teacher I and Officer-in-Charge of Keupiyanan Te Balugo (San Fernando, Bukidnon);
• Christine Joy DR. Aguila, Ph.D., Special Science Teacher 5, Philippine Science High School – Main Campus (Quezon City);
• Mark Nolan P. Confesor, Ph.D., Professor 6, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (Iligan City);
• Leonila F. Dans, M.D., M.Sc., Professor 12, University of the Philippines Manila (City of Manila);
• Technical Sergeant Joel L. Tuganan PA, First Sergeant of the Delta Company, 33rd Infantry Battalion, 6th Infantry Division, Philippine Army (Radjah Buayan, Maguindanao);
• Colonel Maria Victoria P. Juan NC, Army Chief Nurse, Office of the Army Chief Nurse, Headquarters Philippine Army (Taguig City);
• Colonel Stephen L. Cabanlet PN(M), Assistant Chief of Unified Command Staff for Operations, U3, Western Command, Camp Gen. Artemio Ricarte (Puerto Princesa City, Palawan);
• Police Executive Master Sergeant Rogelio A. Rodriguez Jr., Investigator, Anti-Fraud and Commercial Crimes Unit, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (Quezon City);
• Police Captain Rosalino E. Panlaqui, Chief of Police, Jalajala Municipal Police Station (Jalajala, Rizal); and
• Police Colonel Lambert A. Suerte, Battalion Commander, Regional Mobile Force Battalion – National Capital Region Police Office (Taguig City).

According to the Metrobank Foundation, the awardees underwent an intensive selection process and were chosen from hundreds of nominations.

A multi-sectoral Board of Assessors, composed of members of the government, academe, military, and non-government sectors, shortlisted the semi-finalists through a review of documents and interviews. — DVM, GMA News