Quezon Service Cross award conferred on Robredo

Late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo

MANILA, Philippines—President Benigno Aquino III on Monday conferred the Quezon Service Cross on late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo for his exemplary service to the country.

The Quezon Service Cross is the highest award the republic could bestow on a Filipino for exemplary service into the country “in such a manner and degree as to add prestige to the Philippines or to contribute to the lasting benefit of its people.’’

The award was conferred with the concurrence of the Senate and the House of Representatives on the 100th day since Robredo perished in a plane crash in the waters off Masbate on Aug 18.

With the posthumous award, Robredo joined the ranks of Carlos P. Romulo, Emilio Aguinaldo, the late President Ramon Magsaysay and the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., former awardees.

“By conferring him the award, we are recognizing his contributions to the new spring of the republic that we are now experiencing,’’ Aquino said in his speech during the rites in Malacañang.

Robredo’s wife Leni, joined by their three daughters, accepted the award from the President.

She said her family would “forever be grateful that he has not been forgotten.’’ She said that for Robredo to join the company of Romulo, Aguinaldo, Magsaysay and Aquino was “truly a huge honor.’’

“Jesse always believed that good governance can be the conclusion to our unfinished revolution. This revolution can be achieved in this administration under a President who leads his people under a `daang matuwid’ (straight and narrow path),’’ she said.