Press Release
September 2, 2013

Senate honors mentors, cops, soldiers

The Senate today adopted three resolutions honoring the country's top educators, military personnel and police officers who were awarded by the Metrobank Foundation, Inc., (MBFI) for their selfless dedication to the service and commitment to excellence.

In filing Senate Resolution 207, Sen. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III said teachers, who have the most impact in our lives next to our parents, have helped us reach our fullest potential and shaped our minds and hearts.

Despite the difficulties they face, he said, teachers have remained reliable and dedicated to their duty of educating the youth.

"The greatest role of a teacher is empowering the mind of students and training them so they may reach their fullest potential. We should recognize the essential role of teachers in educational advancement, as well as their important contributions to the development of humanity and modern society," Pimentel said.

He also commended MBFI for its relentless search for outstanding teachers for the last 29 years. To date he said, the foundation has honored 316 teachers who served as shining examples of dedication and commitment to the teaching profession.

"The recognition given by the Metrobank Foundation, Inc. for the 10 Outstanding teachers, police officers and soldiers have made them the pride and joy not only of their respective communities but also of the nation as well," Pimentel said.

This year's 10 outstanding teachers are Fely Batiloy of the SPED - Integrated School for Exceptional Children, Iloilo City; Dr. Mitchel Rodriguez of the Odiongan Central School, Gingoog City; Cherry Vinluan of the Guagua Elementary School, Guagua, Pampanga; Rodel Sampang of the Pedro Guevara Elementary School, Manila; Dominique Maquiran of the University of the Philippines High School, Iloilo City; Marcelo Otinguey of the Ampusongan National High School, Bakun, Benguet; Maria Teresa Bautista of the Bacnotan National High School, Bacnotan, La Union; Maria Lorna Garnace of the Philippine Science High School-Eastern Visayas, Paolo, Leyte; Dr. Alfredo Robles, Jr. of the De La Salle University, Manila and Dr. Emilyn Espiritu of the Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City.

Resolution 207 was adopted in consideration of Resolution 209 authored by Sen. Pia Cayetano and Resolution No. 215 authored by Sen. Maria Lourdes Nancy Binay.

The Senate also adopted Senate Resolution 210, honoring and commending the top 10 country's police officers.

Sen. Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes IV, who introduced Resolution 201 in consideration of Resolution 213 authored by Binay and Resolution 219 authored by Sen. Grace Poe, said the Senate joins Metrobank in honoring the police officers who have "actively solicited, mobilized, involved and organized the community to become fellow vanguards of the community.

Honored this year are Supt. Edgar Alan Omas Okubo; Chief Insp. Carlo Magno Mercado Manuel; Senior Insp. Arlan Lim Delumpines, Insp. Margienett Terano Yosores, Senior Police Officer 1 (SPO1) Edgardo Abastar Figuracion II, SPO1 Raquel Ramos Aniwasal; SPO4 Teofilo Siao Juanata Jr., SPO2 Oscar Morales Angeles, Jr., SPO2 Rodito Torrevillas Viovicente and SPO1 Eduardo de Guzman Covarrubias.

Also adopted was Senate Resolution 177, honoring and commending 10 Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) for this year.

"The competition is an expression of gratitude to the heroism, gallantry, dedication, commitment and great sacrifices of the gallant men and women of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The search for TOPS has become a career achievement and award that recognized the contribution of a soldier's best seven years of his/her service in the military," Trillanes said.

Resolution 177 was adopted in consideration of Resolution 214 authored by Binay.

The 10 outstanding soldiers are Col. Romeo Brawner, Jr., Chief, Plans, Policies and Program Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, J3, Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City; Chief Master Sergeant Rogelio Mendoza, Command Sergeant Major, Training and Doctrine Command, Philippine Army, Camp O'Donnel, Sta., Lucia, Capas, Tarlac; Technical Sergeant Ferdinand Baladjay, Company First Sergeant, 2nd light Reaction Company, Light Reaction Batallion, Special Operations Command, Philippine Army, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija; Capt. Vicente Cejoco, Deputy Commander, Communications Electronics and Information Systems Service, AFP, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City; Technical Sergeant Dante P. Berganio (Marines), Marine Battalion Landing Team 2, Mt. Bayog, Barangay Samak, Talipao, Sulu; Hospitalman 3rd Class Sergs Estropigan, Recompression Chamber Petty Officer-in-Charge, Naval Salvage Unit, Naval Special Operation Group, Philippine Fleet, Naval Base Alano, Sangley Point, Cavite; Lt. Col. Moises Micor, Director, Directorate for Aircraft Maintenance and Management, Office of the Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Logistics, Col. Jesus Villamor Air Base, Pasay City; Master Seergeant Alberto Pesebre, Non Commissioned Officer-in- Charge, Defense and Armed Forces Attache, Management and Research Division, Military Intelligence Group 19, AFP; Technical Sergeant Nolito Tumesa, First Sergeant, 411th Maintenance Production Group, 410th Maintenance Wing, Clark Air Base, Pampanga and Major Daneck Dang-Awan, Evangelical Chaplain, Naval Inter-Faith Worship Center, Naval Station Jose Francisco, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

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