Press Release
September 2, 2015

Senate Commends 2015 Outstanding Philippine Soldiers

The Senate has adopted Senate Resolution No. 1445, honoring and commending The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) for 2015, which was authored by Senator Loren Legarda.

In the resolution adopted by the Senate on September 1, 2015, the outstanding Philippine soldiers were given recognition for raising the bar in military service "which other soldiers should emulate, representing the ideals being upheld by the larger sector of the national community and likewise highlight the contribution of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in peace, security, nation building and development."

The annual nationwide search that honors the career achievements of Filipino soldiers is spearheaded by the Metrobank Foundation and the Rotary Club of Makati Metro.

Legarda was the chairperson of the final board of judges for the 2015 TOPS. She shared, "It was a memorable experience because as I listened to the stories of our soldiers, I could not help but admire how they perform their mission with utter dedication and integrity, sometimes even sacrificing their personal needs, comfort and time."

The 2015 TOPS are: Colonel Danilo Gines Pamonag, Master Sergeant Arnel Guerrero Cariaga, Master Sergeant Ferdinand Cabungcal Lascano, Colonel Ariel Reyes Caculitan, Technical Sergeant Romel Bustamante Bancairin, Disbursing Clerk Third Class Dennis Larracochea Gurrea, Colonel Maxima Oximoso Ignacio, Senior Master Sergeant Romeo Castro Austria, Staff Sergeant Adriano Luzong Reginales, Jr., and Major Jonna Dalida Dalaguit.

The Senator also congratulated the winners of Metrobank Foundation's Search for Outstanding Teachers (SOT), and the Country's Outstanding Policemen in Service (COPS).

"The fact that every year Metrobank Foundation is able to award ten outstanding individuals for each category makes me feel proud to be a Filipino. It means that we have a lot of soldiers and policemen who are firmly committed to their duty to protect the country and the citizens, and who put their lives on the line everyday so we can live in peaceful and safe communities; and we have many teachers who are truly devoted to educating the Filipino youth even with the challenges in our education system," Legarda stated.

"I hope that our outstanding public servants may continue to inspire their fellow public servants and Filipinos to always strive for excellence and work for the greater benefit of our communities and the whole nation," Legarda concluded.***

Please find attached Senate Resolution 1445, Commending The Outstanding Philippine Soldiers (TOPS) of 2015.

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