House panel allows Lorenzana to accept award from Indonesia's Widodo

November 11 ------ The House Committee on Foreign Affairs has adopted a resolution allowing Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to accept a prestigious award from Indonesian President Joko Widodo. During a panel meeting on Wednesday, committee chairperson and Zamboanga Sibugay Representative Ann Hofer said Lorenzana is being awarded by Widodo the Medal of Peace in recognition for his zealous efforts to foster Philippine-Indonesia relations and for the rescue of Indonesian fishermen from Abu Sayyaf abductors in December 2019.

Zamboanga del Norte Representative Glona Labadlabad made a motion to approve House Concurrent Resolution 22, which was duly seconded by Manila Representative John Martin "Yul Servo" Nieto and later on adopted by the panel subject to style and amendments. Hofer said Lorenzana would be the first Filipino to receive the said award from Indonesia. Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Neal Imperial expressed support to the resolution.

"It will be a great honor for Secretary Lorenzana to be the first ever Filipino to receive the prestigious Medal of Peace from no less than the president of Indonesia in recognition of his stewardship and leadership on rescue of Indonesians," Imperial said. "By accepting the award, the Philippines not only further cements the bilateral ties with Indonesia, which we consider as an important and reliable regional partner, but also serves as a high-water mark for the defense and security cooperation of our two countries," he added.

Imperial also urged lawmakers to extend the same support for former Armed Forces chief Cirilito Sobejana and other military and defense officials who are also expected to receive the same award from Indonesia. Article IX, Sub-Article B, the Civil Service Commission, Section 8 of the 1987 Constitution states 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.”

The committee report was also approved in principle during the panel meeting.

Source: gmanetwork.com