Berlin, Germany
20 September 2014

For being a good example of leadership to Liberals around the world, President Benigno S. Aquino III was conferred the Freedom Medal by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation held at the Philippine Embassy in Berlin.

FNF President of the Board Dr. Wolfgang Gerhardt, the one who presented the award to President Aquino, said that Filipinos is an inspiration to Liberals around the globe and that the Chief Executive’s “daang matuwid” inspires them as well.

“You were very clear in your election campaign about what your plans were. And when elected, that is what you set out to do. You do what is right because you know that it is right even in the face of opposition and obstruction from vested interests,” added Dr. Gerhardt as he mentioned some of the President’s remarkable achievements such as the passage of the Reproductive Health Law, the significant growth in the economic status of the Philippines, reforms on education, poverty alleviation efforts and the drafting of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro among others.

As a response, President Aquino thanked the foundation for the distinct honor. “We will forever be grateful for the recognition of our efforts in advancing the cause of our humanity,” he said.

The Freedom Medal is given to outstanding policy-makers “who dedicate themselves in pushing for the liberal agenda and who stand up in defence of democracy, human rights and free market economy especially in times of crisis.”

President Aquino is the sixth recipient of the award following Bulgaria Former Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg Gotha in 2006, Spanish economist Carles Alfred Gasoliba i Bohm in 2007, Paraguay Foreign Minister Jose Felix Fernandez Estigarribia in 2008, Western Cape Prime Minister Helen Zille in 2009 and Liberal International Presidetn Hans van Baalen in 2011.

The foundation’s Philippines chapter opened in 1986. It has been a partner of the Liberal Party in the programs on anti-corruption, good governance and clean elections, promotion of the human rights and climate change awareness.

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