A Rolex may be one of the most expensive watches one could own, but it is still nothing compared to a Medal of Valor, according to Sen. Panfilo Lacson.
Lacson, a Philippine Military Academy graduate, made the statement amid reports that President Rodrigo Duterte had promised to give Rolex watches to soldiers who would do acts of valor.
According to the senator, a Medal of Valor is rare because few soldiers get the opportunity to prove themselves worthy of the military’s highest honor.
Soldier’s dream
“To any soldier, a Medal of Valor is worth more than a hundred Rolex watches. Every soldier dreams of having [the medal], more than he dreams of owning a Rolex watch,” he said in a statement.
The Medal of Valor is given for a soldier’s supreme self-sacrifice and distinctive acts of heroism and gallantry.
Those who get this award are entitled to a lifetime monthly gratuity of P20,000, on top of their salary or pension.
For posthumous recipients, the widow, widower or dependents also get privileges, including precedence in hiring in government agencies.
The President promised the Rolex watches to soldiers during a recent visit to a military camp in Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.
P100,000 each
During his visit, he commended the troops for securing Agusan del Sur and Surigao del Sur from communist rebels.
He gave the Army’s 401st and 402nd brigades P100,000 each and told the soldiers that those who would do acts of valor would get Rolex watches.