Philippine envoy who worked on vaccines, Balangiga bells gets highest diplomatic merit

Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez, who spearheaded efforts to secure millions of US COVID-19 vaccines and facilitated the return of the historic Balangiga Bells, was conferred with the highest national merit for diplomats by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Joining the conferment ceremony in Malacañang virtually from Washington on Monday, Romualdez was given the Order of Sikatuna, Rank of Datu, Gold Distinction — the highest national diplomatic merit conferred on Filipino diplomats and officials of foreign governments.

The 74-year-old diplomat is noted for leading the negotiations for the successful return of the seized Balangiga bells to the Philippines after more than a century.

For many years, Manila has repeatedly asked Washington, its long-time defense ally, to have those bells — taken by American troops at a church in Eastern Samar as war booties during the Philippine- American war — returned, but the US government was non-committal. On December 15, 2018, the bells were finally returned to the Balangiga Church.

Romualdez also played a key role in the procurement of 20 million doses of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, significantly contributing to the government’s pandemic response efforts.

Amid maritime disputes with China in the West Philippine Sea, Romualdez pushed for an enhanced Philippines-US alliance through defense and security cooperation, particularly in maritime security and the upgrading of Philippine defense capabilities.

On trade and investment, Romualdez facilitated the recent entry into the Philippines of US-based SBA Communications, paving the way for the improvement of the country’s telecommunications technology backbone.

Other Filipino diplomats, on the other hand, who were awarded with Gawad Mabini rank of Dakilang Kasugo (Commander) were Philippine Embassy in Washington's former First Secretary and Consul Katrina Isabelle Borja-Martin and Foreign Affairs Special Assistant, Office of the Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations in Asean Affairs Noel Novicio.

Philippine Ambassador to Norway Enrico Fos received the Gawad Mabini Dakilang Kamanong, along with Robert Eric Borje, Presidential Protocol Chief and adviser for Foreign Affairs.

Antonio Villar, Administrative Officer, Office of the Undersecretary for Multi-lateral Affairs and International Economic Relations and Bernardo Bagalay, Assistant, Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs both received the Gawad Mabini Rank of Kasugo.

Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. hailed the diplomats for their "exemplary commitment, resourcefulness, perseverance and effectiveness." despite the distractions and pressures of the global pandemic on the country.

"The beneficial results of their tireless labors and creative responses had an immeasurable impact on the lives of millions of – let’s not call them ordinary – but extraordinary Filipinos as they showed in this pandemic," Locsin said. —KG, GMA News