Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson on Tuesday backed the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Reserve Command’s plan to review and strengthen its policies on the conferment of awards and honorary badges to reservists, saying each military decoration should represent a specific act of heroism, valor, courage, or an outstanding feat.
“Behind every ribbon pinned on a soldier’s uniform represents a medal. Every medal has a unique story about heroism, valor, courage and bravery, or an outstanding feat even outside the combat zone,” Lacson, who served in the Philippine Constabulary, said in a post on X.
In Filipino: Lacson, Sinuportahan ang Pagsusuri ng PAF sa Patakaran sa mga Parangal at Badge para sa mga Reservist
Behind every ribbon pinned on a soldier’s uniform represents a medal. Every medal has a unique story about heroism, valor, courage and bravery, or an outstanding feat even outside the combat zone.
My bad. Being a member of the Commission on Appointments, I failed to notice and…
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) August 18, 2026
The PAF earlier said it would review and strengthen its policies for reservists, amid questions raised over the military decorations worn by former Rep. Michael “Mikee” Romero, who holds the rank of Brigadier General in the PAF Reserve.
Such questions arose after a photo of Romero in a PAF uniform standing beside AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete circulated online. Some active and retired military personnel questioned Romero’s decorations because of their number.
The controversy prompted accusations of “stolen valor,” which Romero denied.
Following the issue, the PAF Reserve Command would coordinate with other major services of the AFP to review and strengthen their policies to ensure proper documentation, adherence to established protocols, and the integrity of the military awards and recognition system.
Lacson, a member of the Commission on Appointments (CA), acknowledged he did not get to raise questions about Romero’s ribbons during the CA’s confirmation of 38 military officers, including Romero, last week.
“My bad. Being a member of the Commission on Appointments, I failed to notice and seek clarification on ex-Cong Romero’s ribbons pinned on his military uniform during his confirmation along with 37 others last week,” he said.
Lacson also noted that the Gold Cross Medal is the fourth-highest military award next to the Medal of Valor, Distinguished Conduct Star and the Distinguished Service Medal, or its equivalent, the Outstanding Achievement Medal.
He said the medal is rarely given because the award calls for gallantry in action, courage and bravery, involving risk of life and intrepidity in the face of enemy forces.
He added that in his 20 years in the defunct Philippine Constabulary and 10 years in the Philippine National Police, he was never in a possition to be recommended for such award. Lacson was awarded one Outstanding Achievement Medal and one PNP equivalent award; five Bronze Cross Medals and several PNP equivalent medals; and 17 Military Merit Medals, among others.
“If ex-Cong Romero rightly deserves the Gold Cross Medal, he should keep it. If not, the AFP has a lot of explaining to do, especially to its personnel who think they also deserve the medal but for some reason, failed to get it,” he said.
The Gold Cross Medal is the 4th highest military award next to the Medal of Valor, Distinguished Conduct Star and the Distinguished Service Medal, or its equivalent, the Outstanding Achievement Medal.
It is rarely given as the award calls for gallantry in action, courage and…
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) August 18, 2026
*****
Lacson, Sinuportahan ang Pagsusuri ng PAF sa Patakaran sa mga Parangal at Badge para sa mga Reservist
Sinuportahan ni Sen. Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson nitong Martes ang plano ng Philippine Air Force (PAF) Reserve Command na repasuhin at patibayin ang mga patakaran nito sa pagkakaloob ng mga parangal at honorary badge sa mga reservist, sabay diin na ang bawa’t military decoration ay dapat kumatawan sa isang partikular na gawa ng kabayanihan, kagitingan, katapangan, o natatanging nagawa.
“Behind every ribbon pinned on a soldier’s uniform represents a medal. Every medal has a unique story about heroism, valor, courage and bravery, or an outstanding feat even outside the combat zone,” sabi ni Lacson, na nagsilbi sa Philippine Constabulary, sa isang post sa X.
Nauna nang sinabi ng PAF na rerepasuhin at palalakasin nito ang mga patakaran nito para sa mga reservist, kasunod ng mga tanong hinggil sa mga military decoration na suot ni dating Rep. Michael “Mikee” Romero, na may ranggong Brigadier General sa PAF Reserve.
Nabuo ang mga tanong na ito matapos kumalat online ang isang larawan ni Romero na nakasuot ng uniporme ng PAF at katabi si AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Antonio Nafarrete. Kinuwestiyon ng ilang aktibo at retiradong tauhan ng militar ang mga decoration ni Romero dahil sa dami ng mga ito.
Nagbunsod ang kontrobersiya ng mga akusasyon ng “stolen valor,” na itinanggi ni Romero.
Kasunod ng isyu, sinabi ng PAF Reserve Command na makikipag-ugnayan ito sa iba pang major services ng AFP upang repasuhin at palakasin ang kanilang mga patakaran para matiyak ang wastong dokumentasyon, pagsunod sa mga itinatag na protocol, at integridad ng sistema ng mga parangal at pagkilala ng militar.
Ani Lacson, isang miyembro ng Commission on Appointments (CA), hindi niya nagawang magtanong hinggil sa mga ribbon ni Romero sa panahon ng kumpirmasyon ng CA sa 38 opisyal ng militar, kabilang si Romero, noong nakaraang linggo.
“My bad. Being a member of the Commission on Appointments, I failed to notice and seek clarification on ex-Cong Romero’s ribbons pinned on his military uniform during his confirmation along with 37 others last week,” aniya.
Binigyang-diin din ni Lacson na ang Gold Cross Medal ang ikaapat na pinakamataas na parangal militar, kasunod ng Medal of Valor, Distinguished Conduct Star at Distinguished Service Medal, o ang katumbas nitong Outstanding Achievement Medal.
Aniya, bihira itong igawad dahil ang parangal ay nangangailangan ng kagitingan sa aktuwal na labanan, tapang at katapangan na may kaakibat na panganib sa buhay at katatagan ng loob sa harap ng mga puwersa ng kaaway.
Dagdag niya na sa kanyang 20 taon sa noo’y Philippine Constabulary at 10 taon sa Philippine National Police, hindi siya kailanman nagkaroon ng pagkakataong mairekomenda para sa naturang parangal. Ginawaran si Lacson ng isang Outstanding Achievement Medal at isang katumbas na parangal ng PNP; limang Bronze Cross Medal at ilang katumbas na medalya ng PNP; at 17 Military Merit Medal, at iba pa.
“If ex-Cong Romero rightly deserves the Gold Cross Medal, he should keep it. If not, the AFP has a lot of explaining to do, especially to its personnel who think they also deserve the medal but for some reason, failed to get it,” aniya.
*****