Duterte creates “Order of Lapu-Lapu” for persons fighting illegal drugs, corruption

April 17, 2017

President Rodrigo Duterte has created "Order of Lapu-Lapu" to be conferred to individuals, whether from the government or private sector, for their efforts and sacrifices in pursuing his administration's advocacies, including campaign against illegal drugs and corruption. Signed on April 7, Duterte issued Executive Order No. 17 creating the Order of Lapu-Lapu, which shall comprise three medals: Lapu-Lapu, Kalasag, and Kampilan. "The Order of Lapu-Lapu is hereby created and shall be awarded to officials and personnel of government, as well as to private individuals, in recognition of invaluable or extraordinary service in relation to a campaign or advocacy of the President," the executive order said. Among the "wide array of campaigns and advocacies" being pushed by Duterte include suppression of illegal drugs and illegal gambling, the protection of environment, and eradication of graft and corruption, the order cited. The Lapu-Lapu Medal shall be awarded to those who have contributed significantly to the success of an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the president. The Kalasag Medal shall be given to individuals who lost their lives or property as a direct result of their participation in an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the president. The Kampilan Medal shall be conferred to persons who are seriously wounded or injured as a direct result of their participation in an activity pursuant to a campaign or advocacy of the chief executive. The heads of agencies will recommend the nominees for the award. The Order of Lapu-Lapu may be awarded posthumously to any person, in which case it shall be received by the awardee's legal heirs. If there is no legal heir, the nearest of kin shall receive the award, and if there is no legal heir or nearest kin, any person designated by the president may receive such award on behalf of the awardee. The president shall confer the order upon recommendation by a Committee to be composed of a representative from the Office of the Executive Secretary, who shall act as chairman, and two members from the Presidential Management Staff. Funds for the implementation of the order shall come from the Office of the President. Before the creation of the Order of Lapu-Lapu, among the existing civilian honors being conferred by the Republic of the Philippines under EO No. 236 include Quezon Service Cross, Order of Lakandula, Order of Sikatuna, Philippine Legion Honor, Order of Gabriela Silang, Order of National Artists, Order of National Scientists, Order of National Social Scientists, Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan, Gawad Mabini, Order of the Golden Heart, and Presidential Medal of Merit. (Celerina Monte/DMS)