MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte conferred the Gawad Mabini award to Philippine foreign service officials, including Consul General in Los Angeles Adelio Angelito Cruz, at the President’s Hall of Malacañang Palace on Wednesday, September 13.

Cruz was conferred the Gawad Mabini with the rank of Dakilang Kamanong (Grand Cross).

Under Presidential Decree 490, Gawad Mabini is conferred on Filipinos who have rendered distinguished Foreign Service or helped promote the interests and prestige of the Philippines abroad.

Prior to his current post, Cruz served as Charge d’ Affaires from June 2014 to June 2016 at the Philippine Embassy in Tripoli, Libya; and as Consul General from April 2011 to November 2013 in Xiamen, China.

Apart from Cruz, the Gawad Mabini with the rank of Dakilang Kamanong (Grand Cross) was likewise conferred upon Undersecretary Enrique Manalo; Ambassador to Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Elizabeth  Buensuceso; and Ambassador Mario de Leon.

Duterte also conferred the Gawad Mabini with the rank of Dakilang Kasugo (Commander) upon Vice Consul Theodore Andrei Bauzon and Director Ryan Francis Gener.

In a speech, the president lauded the recipients of Gawad Mabini awards for their “unwavering dedication” to achieve major foreign policy and national economic goals.

“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 nations,” Duterte remarked.

He noted that their exemplary service has also “safeguarded and promoted the welfare and the rights of Filipinos residing abroad.”

“Thank you for upholding and promoting our country’s independent foreign policy, strongly founded on our national interest and carried out through the diversification of our international ties to secure our political, economic, and sociocultural objectives,” Duterte added.