The Quezon Service Cross (Filipino: Krus ng Serbisyo ni Quezon)[1] is the highest order of the Republic of the Philippines. It has been awarded to only a handful of Filipinos since its creation in 1946.[2][3]

Quezon Service Cross
Badge of the Quezon Service Cross
TypeDecoration
Awarded for"Exemplary service to the nation in such a manner and such a degree as to add great prestige to the Republic of the Philippines, or as to contribute to the lasting benefit of its people."[1]
CountryPhilippines
Presented bythe President of the Philippines with the concurrence of the Congress of the Philippines
EligibilityFilipino citizens
MottoSIC FLORET RESPUBLICA
And thus, he distinguished the republic[2]
StatusCurrently awarded
EstablishedOctober 21, 1946
First awardedJune 12, 1956
Last awardedDecember 3, 2018
Total6
Total awarded posthumously5
Total recipients6
Ribbon bar of the award
Precedence
Next (higher)None
Next (lower)Order of Lakandula
Order of Sikatuna
Philippine Legion of Honor

Background

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Quezon Service Cross design specification

The award was created by Joint Resolution No. 4 dated October 21, 1946, of the 1st Congress of the Philippines.[4] A joint resolution of the Congress of the Philippines has the force of law. The Quezon Service Cross is a decoration conferred by the President of the Philippines with the concurrence of the Congress of the Philippines on Filipino citizens for "exemplary service to the nation in such a manner and such a degree as to add great prestige to the Republic of the Philippines, or as to contribute to the lasting benefit of its people".[1]

Nominations for the Quezon Service Cross need to state the services meriting the award and are made only in cases where the service performed or contribution made can be measured on the scale established by what the joint resolution terms "the benefaction" of the late President Manuel L. Quezon, after whom the decoration is named.[1]

The Quezon Service Cross was proposed by President Manuel Roxas. It is also referred to as the Congressional Quezon Service Cross, as conferment requires the approval of the Congress of the Philippines and is seldom awarded.[2]

Awardees

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Quezon Service Cross given to Jesse Robredo in 2012

Only six Filipinos have been conferred this decoration:

Awardee Designation Date Awarded President
Image Name
  Emilio Aguinaldo President June 12, 1956[2] Ramon Magsaysay
  Manuel Roxas President 3 July 1956 (posthumous)[5]
  Ramon Magsaysay President July 4, 1957 (posthumous)[2] Carlos P. Garcia
  Benigno Aquino Jr. Senator August 21, 2004 (posthumous)[2][6] Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
  Jesse Robredo Secretary of the Interior and Local Government November 26, 2012 (posthumous)[2][7] Benigno Aquino III
  Miriam Defensor Santiago Senator December 3, 2018 (posthumous)[3] Rodrigo Duterte

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Executive Order No. 236". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "History of the Quezon Service Cross". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Placido, Dharel (December 3, 2018). "Miriam Defensor Santiago becomes 6th recipient of PH's highest civil service award". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  4. ^ "Joint Resolution No. 4". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  5. ^ Official Month in Review Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  6. ^ "'Ninoy' posthumously conferred the Quezon Service Cross". Office of the Press Secretary (OPS). August 21, 2004. Archived from the original on October 31, 2004. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  7. ^ Burgonio, T. J. (November 26, 2012). "Quezon Service Cross award conferred on Robredo". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 28, 2012. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
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