DFA confers Mabini awards on 16 diplomats

MANILA, Philippines - For their distinguished service and unwavering commitment in promoting the interests of the Philippines here and overseas, 16 diplomats and Foreign Service personnel were conferred Gawad Mabini awards in a special ceremony held recently on the occasion of the 115th DFA Foundation Day and the 149th birth anniversary of Apolinario Mabini, the country’s first secretary of foreign affairs.

President Aquino conferred the Gawad Mabini upon the awardees through Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario at the DFA’s Bulwagang Apolinaro Mabini in Pasay City.

There were six recipients of the Gawad Mabini with a rank of Grand Cross (Dakilang Kamanong), seven recipients of the Gawad Mabini with a rank of Commander (Dakilang Kasugo), and three recipients of the Gawad Mabini with a rank of Member (Kasugo).

The Gawad Mabini with a rank of Grand Cross (Dakilang Kamanong), conferred upon a former or incumbent secretary of foreign affairs, chief of mission, Cabinet member or other high official who headed a Philippine delegation to an important international conference on a ministerial level which resulted in substantive contributions to public interests and public welfare, was conferred on Usec. for Administration Rafael Seguis, Senior Special Assistant Rowena Mendoza Sanchez, Asec. Teresita Barsana (Office of ASEAN Affairs), Ambassador Nestor Padalhin (Damascus), Asec. Gilberto Asuque (Office of Ocean Concerns), and Asec. Raul Hernandez (DFA spokesman).

The Gawad Mabini with a rank of Commander (Dakilang Kasugo), conferred upon an officer with a rank between a Career Minister to Foreign Service Officer Class IV, or upon personnel of a government agency who served as an attaché in a foreign service establishment, was conferred on Special Assistants Patrick Chuasoto, Marciano de Borja and Edward Yulo, First Secretary and Consul Enrico Fos (Philippine Permanent Mission to Geneva), Rex Arvin Malimban (Crisis Management/Rapid Response Team), Christine Queenie  Mangunay (Posthumous; Office of Strategic Planning and Policy Coordination), and Labor Attaché Alicia Santos (Malaysia).

The Gawad Mabini with a rank of Member (Kasugo), conferred upon a staff officer or employee of the DFA, was conferred on Jerome Friaz, Merle Puruganan and Aquino Sultan.

Established in 2003 pursuant to Executive Order No. 236, or The Honors Code of the Philippines, the Gawad Mabini is conferred upon DFA personnel and Filipinos who have rendered distinguished service and promoted the interests of the Philippines at home and overseas.

The DFA’s outstanding employees and loyalty awardees were also recognized during the program.