The late Press Secretary Cerge Remonde would be conferred on Thursday with the Order of Lakandula with the rank of Grand Cross or Bayani (Hero), one of the highest national honors given by the Philippine government to a Filipino or a foreign citizen.
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HIGHEST HONORS. Pres. Arroyo (center) would confer the Order of Lakandula honors to Cerge Remonde, her former Press Secretary (second from left). Office of the Press Secretary file photo
Radio dzBB’s Tuesday Niu reported that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo would confer the honors at the Malacañang Palace in Manila. Remonde’s remains will be transferred to Malacañang Heroes’ Hall from Heritage Park in Taguig City on Thursday afternoon. On Friday, his body will be flown to his hometown of Argao in Cebu. The interment will be on Sunday. GMA’s Flash Report said a Mass would be held in Malacañang on Thursday night. Remonde, 51, passed away last Tuesday after suffering a heart attack. [See:
Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, 51, passes away]
The Order of Lakandula is an order of political and civic merit, awarded in memory of Lakandula’s dedication to the responsibilities of leadership, prudence, fortitude, courage and resolve in the service of one’s people.
Lakan Dula was the Rajah (chieftain) of an area north of Pasig River, now known as Tondo, a district in Manila. He fought the Spanish colonizers in the Philippines. [See also:
Rajah Lakandula] According to Executive Order (EO) 236, the Order of Lakandula is composed of the following ranks: Grand Collar (Supremo), Grand Cross (Bayani), Grand Officer (Marangal na Pinuno), Commander (Kumandante), Officer (Pinuno), and Member (Kagawad). EO 236 states the rank of Grand Cross is conferred upon a person “who has devoted his life to the peaceful resolution of conflict, upon an individual whose life is worthy of emulation by the Filipino people, or upon a Crown Prince, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, Chief Justice or the equivalent, foreign minister or other official of Cabinet rank, Ambassador, Undersecretary, Assistant Secretary, or other person of a rank or equivalent to the foregoing." As Press Secretary, Remonde was an official of Cabinet rank.
- LBG/RSJ, GMANews.TV