Robredo conferred highest Phl award

MANILA, Philippines - The late interior and local government Secretary Jesse Robredo was bestowed with the Quezon Service Cross, the highest award the Philippine republic confers on an individual, joining the ranks of past awardees Carlos Romulo, Ramon Magsaysay and Emilio Aguinaldo.

President Benigno Aquino III, whose father late Senator Ninoy Aquino was the latest awardee, handed the award to Robredo's wife Lani in Malacañang on Monday, 100 days after the cabinet secretary died from a plane crash on August 18.

Aquino said the posthumous honor was to recognize Robredo's exemplary service in transforming Naga and for laying down the foundations in the department that oversees the operations of local government units.

"Kinakatawan ni Jesse ang mga katangian ng isang tunay na lingkod-bayan: matapat, masigasig, at mapagkumbaba. Batid niyang bilang kawani ng gobyerno, ang una at ang huli niyang tungkulin ay ang pagsilbihan ang bandila, at iangat ang kanyang kapwa—anumang pansariling sakripisyo ang kaakibat nito," Aquino said in his speech during the conferment ceremony.

He added that Robredo's spirit of service is "rooted" in his "humble love for his family, for others, for the community and for the country."

"Kanyang pinatunayan na hindi laging naipapamalas ang kadakilaan sa lakas ng puwersa, sa katapangan, o sa kagitingan. Isang simpleng taong kumakalinga sa simpleng tao: dito po natin maaalala ang pangalang Jesse Manalastas Robredo," Aquino said.

Robredo was the fifth recipient of the Quezon Service Cross, which only the Philippine President can bestow and subsequently approved by Congress.

The award was created by former president Manuel Roxas in 1946.