SMX Convention Center, Lanang, Davao City
February 23, 2017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte was conferred the Knight Grand Cross of Rizal (KGCOR) during the 21st International Assembly and Conference of the Knights of Rizal (KOR) at the SMX Convention Center in Lanang, Davao City.

The President received the Order’s distinctive sash, medallion and a sword signifying his Knight of Grand Cross of Rizal rank. It was the highest degree of the Order of the Knights of Rizal that is conferred only to a person who has executed an outstanding achievement for the Philippines.

“Your conferment upon me today of the Knight Grand Cross of Rizal, the highest degree which the Knights of Rizal could gift any person with, is truly humbling….I can only hope that I do justice to the award that you bestow upon me today,” said the Chief Executive as he expressed his gratitude.

“You can be a Rizal. I can be a Rizal. In our own modest ways and within the limits of our competence and capacities, we can all be Rizals,” he stressed.

The Order of the Knights of Rizal is a civic and patriotic organization that has a prime purpose of studying the teachings of the country’s national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, and propagate those teachings to the people.

Jose Rizal’s character reflected on the President — a leader projecting courage, conviction, and emotional strength as he serves the interest of the Filipino nation.

The assembly was attended by several Knights of Rizal members representing different chapters, not only in the Philippines but around the world such as in the United States, Canada, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Australia and Hong Kong.

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