President Rodrigo Roa Duterte decorated Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose Romualdez with the Order of Sikatuna, Rank of Datu, Gold Distinction. The hardworking diplomat was lauded for his contributions in strengthening US-Philippine alliance and his role in procuring more than 20 million doses of Moderna vaccines.
Ambassador Romualdez was cited for having “further deepened the Philippines’ US alliance through the enhanced defense and security cooperation, particularly in maritime security and the upgrading of Philippine defense capabilities; and for having promoted trade and investment, resulting in the recent entry into the Philippines of US-based SBA Communications, thereby advancing the development of the country’s telecommunications technology backbone. He also played a lead role in the procurement of 20 million doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, significantly contributing to the government’s pandemic response efforts.”
The Ambassador virtually joined the conferment ceremony held at Malacañan Palace, Manila from Washington, D.C., US. The Embassy’s former Minister and Consul, Gunther Sales, accepted the award on his behalf.
“The Order of Sikatuna is one of the three senior honors of the Republic conferred upon Filipino and foreign diplomats who have made immense contributions to the foreign relations of the Philippines and its geopolitical standing. This afternoon, my good friend Ambassador Jose Manuel ‘Babe’ Romualdez will join the distinguished roster of the Order of Sikatuna awardees,” said Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. during the ceremonies.
Also recognized were the Embassy’s former First Secretary and Consul Katrina Isabelle Borja-Martin, who received the Gawad Mabini, with the Rank of Dakilang Kasugo (Commander), an award conferred on Filipinos who have rendered distinguished foreign service, or helped promote the interests and prestige of the Philippines abroad.
Borja-Martin personally accepted her Gawad Mabini from President Duterte for her “distinct accomplishments as First Secretary and Consul of the Philippine Embassy of Washington D.C.; for her exemplary dedication in serving the interest of Filipinos within her jurisdiction; for her laudable efforts in negotiating vaccine supply for the Philippines, reaching out to various pharmaceutical developers to give the Filipino people diversified vaccine options; for facilitating SBA Communications’ application to register as an independent power company, bringing investment to, and generating employment in the Philippines; and for advancing the national interest and promoting mutually beneficial cooperation between the Philippines and the United States of America.”
