The House Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Zamboanga Sibugay 2nd District Representative Ann Hofer has adopted House Concurrent Resolution 22, granting consent to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to receive the Medal of Peace awarded to him by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
Hofer, author of the resolution, said Widodo conferred the award to Lorenzana, the first Filipino to receive the award, in recognition of the DND chief’s zealous efforts to foster Philippine-Indonesia relations.
“The Indonesian government also cited Lorenzana’s role in the rescue of Indonesian fishermen abducted by the Abu Sayyaf Group in September 2019.”
Moreover, the legislator said the Indonesian government also cited Lorenzana’s role in the rescue of Indonesian fishermen abducted by the Abu Sayyaf Group in September 2019 off Malaysian waters near the southern end of Mindanao in December 2019 by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as a testament to his commitment to regional security, safety and stability.
The lady lawmaker said Article IX , Sub-Article B, the Civil Service Commission, Section 8 of the 1987 Constitution provides that “No elective or appointive public officer or employee shall receive additional, double, or indirect compensation, unless specifically authorized by law, nor accept without the consent of the Congress, any present, emolument, office, or title of any kind from any foreign government.”
“It would be a great honor and privilege for Lorenzana to be the first ever Filipino to receive the prestigious Medal of Peace from no less than Indonesian President Widodo.”
Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Asian and Pacific Affairs Neal Imperial said it would be a great honor and privilege for Lorenzana to be the first ever Filipino to receive the prestigious Medal of Peace from no less than Indonesian President Widodo in recognition of his stewardship and leadership in the rescue of the Indonesians who are now with their families.
Imperial expressed hope that the House extends the same support, through a separate resolution, for former AFP Chief of Staff Cirilito Sobejana and other AFP and DND officials who are also expected to receive the same award from the Indonesian President.
The committee approved his request and decided to include this in the amended concurrent resolution.
