Palace welcomes move to confer highest PH award on Miriam Santiago

FILE: The resolutions were adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, in time for Santiago’s first death anniversary on Friday, September 29. (Photo: Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago/Facebook)

MANILA – Malacañang welcomed moves to confer on the late Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago the Quezon Service Cross, saying her contribution to the country is beyond question.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella issued the statement during a Palace briefing Thursday following the adoption of two resolutions at the Senate urging President Rodrigo Duterte to posthumously confer the highest civilian award on Santiago.

The resolutions were filed by Senators Grace Poe and Sonny Angara who cited the late senator’s exemplary contributions to the country.

The resolutions were adopted by the Senate on Wednesday, in time for Santiago’s first death anniversary on Friday, September 29.

“The President highly respects the lady. We look forward to receiving the resolution of the Senate,” Abella said.

The Quezon Service Cross is a decoration conferred by the President of the Philippines, with the concurrence of the Senate and the House of Representatives, on Filipino citizens for “exemplary service to the nation in such a manner and such a degree as to add great prestige to the Republic of the Philippines, or as to contribute to the lasting benefit of its people”.

To date, only five Filipinos have been conferred this decoration: Carlos P. Romulo on April 12, 1951; Emilio Aguinaldo, June 12, 1956; Ramon Magsaysay, July 4, 1957 (posthumous); Benigno S. Aquino Jr., August 21, 2004 (posthumous); and Jesse M. Robredo, November 26, 2012 (posthumous). (PNA)