SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA SPONSORSHIP SPEECH
RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING AND COMMENDING DR. ALICIA SANTOS
 FOR BEING CONFERRED THE PRESTIGIOUS GAWAD MABINI WITH THE
RANK OF DAKILANG KASUGO PRESIDENTIAL AWARD

The recent issues about the demeaning conduct and appalling services that our Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) experience and receive from our frontline officers in our various foreign posts are undeniably disheartening and demoralizing. When the very people whom our OFWs seek for care and protection in territories far from their families are the very ones who disdain and abuse them, we can expect that sooner or later, our Bagong Bayani will falter in giving pride and honor to their families and to our country.

It is, however, very enlightening to know that there are still exemplary officers who continue to be committed to helping our people and offer selfless service for the improvement of their welfare. One of them is Dr. Alicia Santos, our Labor Attach -- in the Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

This fine lady was conferred the Gawad Mabini with the rank of Dakilang Kasugo last July 31 during the 115th Foundation Day of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the 149th Birth Anniversary of Apolinario Mabini.

The Gawad Mabini Award, created by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 490, is "to be conferred by the President of the Philippines on personnel of the Department of Foreign Affairs, both in the Home Office and in the Foreign Service, as well as on other Filipinos who have rendered distinguished service or promoted the interests of the Republic of the Philippines at home and abroad.

One of the ranks of the Gawad Mabini Award is Dakilang Kasugo which is awarded to Philippine government official or employee who have "rendered distinguished service, or helped promote the interests and prestige of the Philippines abroad".

Dr. Santos has been actively involved in various programs for the Filipino community through the Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC), including the creation of the Federation of Filipino Associations in Malaysia (FFAM) which she successfully endeavored to be accredited by the Malaysian Registry of Societies in August last year.

Dr. Santos truly deserves the admiration and respect of our people and, hopefully, she will be among our inspirations to strengthen our resolve for integrity, honesty, responsibility and dedication in public service.