President’s Hall, Malacañan Palace
September 13, 2017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte congratulated six (6) officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) as he conferred upon them the Gawad Mabini in a ceremony at the President’s Hall in Malacañan Palace.

“Strengthening our foreign relations is not only a sign of goodwill, it also ensures that opportunities for trade and commerce, national security and cooperation will prosper among countries,” said President Duterte as he expressed the significance of the service brought by exemplary members of the DFA.

The President thanked the Philippine diplomats for upholding and promoting the country’s independent foreign policy, “strongly founded on national interest and carried out through the diversification of our international ties.”

President Duterte also gave importance to the DFA officials’ efforts in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano joined the President in the ceremony where they bestowed the rank of ‘Dakilang Kasugo’ (Commander) to Vice Consul Theodore Andrei Bauzon and Director Ryan Francis Gener, and the rank of ‘Dakilang Kamanong’ (Grand Cross) to Undersecretary Enrique Manalo, Ambassador Elizabeth Buensuceso, Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz, and Ambassador Mario de Leon, Jr.

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