MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III conferred outgoing Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima on Friday with the Order of Lakandula, one of the highest honors granted by the president to an individual.
Purisima was granted the rank of Bayani with a Grand Cross, usually awarded to an individual "whose life is worthy of emulation by the Filipino people."
Purisima, for his part, thanked Aquino for his vision and leadership for making good governance influence the country's growing economy the past six years.
The Grand Cross with rank of Bayani is conferred upon an individual whose life is worthy of emulation by the Filipino people. Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima receives the Grand Cross from President Aquino.
The Order of Lakandula is conferred upon a Filipino or foreign citizen who has demonstrated by his life and deeds a dedication to the welfare of society.
The outgoing Cabinet official also expressed his gratitude to his colleagues in Aquino's Cabinet for a "race well run on behalf of the Filipino people."
"It's been my life's greatest honor serving in the Aquino cabinet and leaving a better Philippines than when we first found it. I'm glad to have finished our leg of the relay race with our heads held high," Purisima said. — Camille Diola