Phl confers Legion of Honor to Hillary Clinton

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines conferred on Tuesday the Philippine Legion of Honor to outgoing United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a ceremony led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario at the US State Department in Washington D.C.

Clinton, who is expected to step down early this year, said the US is firm in its commitment to support the Philippines in improving its defense capabilities.

"As Secretary of State, Secretary Clinton has signed with Secretary del Rosario the Manila Declaration, confirming the two countries’ commitment to the objectives of the Philippines-US Mutual Defense Treaty. On the margins of the 2012 official working visit to the US of President Aquino, she also signed with Secretary del Rosario a statement of support for the construction, outfitting and training of a new National Coast Watch Center for the Philippines," DFA said.

It added that Clinton supported the country's pushed for a rules-based approach in resolving the territorial dispute with China, speaking about maintaining freedom of navigation, unimpeded lawful commerce and transit of people across the seas.

"Secretary Clinton oversaw the Obama administration’s pivot to Asia and reaffirmed the strong military relationship between the US and the Philippines," DFA added.

The Philippine Legion of Honor is the highest honor that the president can grant an important individual without the concurrence of Congress.