(Note from MindaNews: This is the official transcript of President Rodrigo Duterte’s speech, released by the Presidential News Desk of the Presidential Communications Office)
Presidential Communications Office
Presidential News Desk
SPEECH
OF
PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE
DURING THE CONFERMENT OF GAWAD MABINI ON DFA OFFICIALS
[Delivered at the President’s Hall, Malacañan Palace
| 13 September 2017]
Alam mo, totohanan talaga nila. One page lang o. [laughter]
My warmest felicitations to the awardees.
Ma’am, hindi ako nagpapatawa, sa totoo lang, ako ni minsan, hindi ako nakatanggap, ni tansan, wala nga. [laughter] Totoo ‘yan. I never had any. Kaya ako very proud sa inyo.
May mga tao talagang mas may abilidad kaysa sa iyo, parang ganun. And maski wala akong award, ako na lang ang taga-bigay ng award, ma’am.
My heartfelt congratulations to our awardees: Usec. Enrique Manalo, sir; Ambassador Elizabeth Buensuceso, ma’am; Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz; Theodore Andrei Bauzon, and Director Ryan Francis D. Gener.
Strengthening our foreign relations is not only a sign of goodwill, it also ensures that opportunities for trade and commerce, national security and cooperation, will prosper among nations.
Thank you for upholding and promoting our country’s independent foreign policy, strongly founded on our national interest and carried out through the diversification of our international ties to secure our political, economic, and socio-cultural objectives.
Your unwavering dedication has enabled our country to achieve major foreign policy and national economic goals.
Your efforts have also safeguarded and promoted the welfare and the rights of Filipinos residing abroad.
May you continue your exemplary service in advancing the interest and sovereignty of our nation.
Again, congratulations at mabuhay kayong lahat! [applause]
—END—