Mr. President, distinguished colleagues:
I rise today to sponsor Senate Resolution No. 629, honoring and commending this year’s 2026 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos. These are ten individuals whose stories and work remind us of the nobility of public service.
Mr. President, when we stand in this august chamber, more often than not, we are called upon to confront the nation’s biggest and most pressing concerns – the economy, poverty, education, health, public safety, crises, among the many issues that plague our nation.
But today, we set aside, even for a while, the weight of these national problems to speak about something equally important: real-life stories of people who chose to make a difference—stories of goodness amid adversity and of hope amid difficult times.
Skip to PDF contentToday, Mr. President, let us speak of remarkable Filipinos who saw a problem and, in their own way, chose to do something about it.
According to the Civil Service Commission, the Philippine government workforce comprises approximately 3.29 million workers as of 2026.
And among these millions are individuals whose contributions remind us that the real meaning of public service is not measured merely by the position one holds, the years one spends on the government payroll, or even the accomplishments listed on our service records. More than these, it’s the legacy that we leave behind.
Over the past four decades, the Metrobank Foundation (under the able stewardship of the late Chairman George Ty and the late President Chito Sobrepeña and now under the able presidency of Boyet Dy) has recognized 735 outstanding Filipinos in public service who have demonstrated excellence, integrity, and dedication in their respective fields.
This year, I had the honor of serving as Chairman of the Board of Judges, alongside Co-Chair Supreme Court Associate Justice Jhosep “Jolo” Lopez. Joining us on the panel were our former colleague and now Makati City Mayor Nancy Binay, Philippine Business for Social Progress Chairperson Manolito Tayag, and broadcast journalist Ms. Pinky Webb. Together, we have carefully selected a group of remarkable Filipinos who will now join this distinguished roster.
And it is with great honor, Mr. President, dear colleagues, that I present to this body the 2026 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos:
First on our list of teacher awardees is DR. EMMANUEL D. GUARDE, Master Teacher III, from a humble public school in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro – Cornelio Lintawagin Memorial Elementary School. Not only did Dr. Guarde make history as the very first member of the Alangan Mangyan indigenous tribe to earn a Doctor of Philosophy degree, but he also made it a mission to further and even bring to greater heights his parents’ legacy for their community. Dr. Guarde’s work as “Oriental Mindoro’s Steward of Indigenous Knowledge and Heritage” makes him a real champion, not only of the Mangyan tribe, but of all indigenous groups in our nation.
Next is our Master Teacher I, ENGR. SHEILA MARIE M. AMIGO, from Siay National High School located in the eastern portion of the province of Zamboanga Sibugay. Engr. Sheila is the brains behind the Dynamic Utilization of Learning by Amusement, more commonly known as the DULA, which literally means ‘play’ in Bisaya. Thanks to her out-of-the-box framework Science, for her students, is not only learned— it is experienced, understood, and appreciated. Congratulations to the “Zamboanga Sibugay’s Trailblazer in Transformative and Compassionate Learning”.
From the far western peninsula of the island of Mindanao, we move to the mountainous province of Bukidnon, where DR. CECILIA O. BUCAYONG, Professor VI and Director for Environmental and Safety Management in Central Mindanao University, is leading the quest for groundbreaking innovation for both learners and educators across Mindanao and beyond. With her 3D Instructional Apparatus invention, which we know has already garnered various recognitions, there is no doubt that she deserves the title of “Bukidnon’s Visionary Inventor in Physics Education.”
Mindanaoans must be really proud as our last teacher awardee comes from Iligan Institute of Technology in Mindanao State University, Professor VI and Dean of the College of Engineering – DR. JEFFERSON A. HORA. His breakthroughs in engineering education, research, and innovation have inspired the next generation of great minds. Dr. Hora’s contributions have not only advanced the region’s technological development, but have also elevated its standing in the field of innovation—creating a lasting legacy that will endure for years to come. Congratulations to “Mindanao’s Revolutionary Mentor in Microelectronics Education and Innovation”!
Mr. President, from our outstanding teachers, we now turn to our soldier-awardees—men who have demonstrated that service to country takes many forms, from protecting our communities to finding innovative ways to make our operations safer and more effective.
We give our snappy salute to Staff Sergeant JOEBELLE O. CERDINIO (SC) from the 102nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division of the Philippine Army, whose work in establishing a unified radio network in 16 municipalities has connected communities and strengthened the government’s ability to respond in emergencies and maintain public safety. We know that in times of crisis, communication can mean the difference between timely action and a missed opportunity to save a life. Every second counts, and every message matters. For helping ensure that our communities remain connected when they need it most, we thank and congratulate our “Zamboanga Peninsula’s Sentinel of Unified Response and Communication” – Staff Sergeant Cerdinio.
Likewise, another snappy salute to Staff Sergeant JOHN DAREN P. NOCHE from the Philippine Air Force stationed in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte. Known as a soldier-innovator, Staff Sergeant Noche’s initiatives have contributed to making military operations safer and more efficient. Through his own initiative, he taught himself computer programming and developed digital systems that transformed personnel accountability, armory management, and mission risk assessment more efficient for Air Operations and Safety. Mabuhay ka, Staff Sergeant Noche, the “Philippine Air Force’s Innovator for Safer Communities”.
From the 3rd Marine Brigade, Philippine Marine Corps, we rise to give due credit to the work of Lieutenant Colonel ROMMEL M. GELI PN(M) – hailed as the “Philippine Marine Corps’ Servant Leader in Territorial Defense and Peacebuilding”. As a commanding officer, the leadership you exemplify to our Marine warriors is critical in our continued security and territorial defense operations in high-tension areas of the West Philippine Sea and the Kalayaan Island Group. To our vanguard of defense and peacebuilding, congratulations, Lieutenant Colonel Geli.
From soldiers, we now move to our Outstanding Filipinos from the organization that I say is extra close to my heart – the Philippine National Police.
First in our list is one who hails from the Igorot tribe, the team leader of the Technical Support Company, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15 in La Trinidad, Benguet – Police Master Sergeant DWIGHT ALEXIS B. SUPSUPIN. To Master Sergeant Dwight, his badge is not merely an emblem. It is a daily reminder of the police force’s most fundamental duty: to serve and to protect. Thus, he earned the distinction of “Cordillera’s Catalyst of Transformative Community Policing” through the high-impact and innovative programs he spearheaded, including Sulat Kamay, Turismo, Hindi Terorismo, and Kaalaman at Kapayapaan. These initiatives demonstrate that effective policing is not only about maintaining peace and order. It is also about building trust, strengthening relationships, and bringing the police closer to the communities they have sworn to protect.
Mr. President, we also recognize a woman in uniform whose service demonstrates the power of compassionate leadership — Police Major BABY ROSE P. CAJULAO – “Cagayan Valley’s Police Advocate for Community Empowerment.” Her work reminds us that community-based policing is at its most effective when it is grounded not only in authority, but also in empathy and genuine concern for the people. Among her most notable contributions is Project Manang BIDAY, an award-winning anti-illegal-drug advocacy program inspired by the Ilocano folk song “Manang Biday”. It literally means Buhay ay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (Yra yaw nga Babbay y Mamolu) – a simple but powerful call to protect life and reject illegal drugs.
And finally, we recognize a police leader from the Police Regional Office 6, Antique Police Provincial Office—the Deputy Provincial Director for Administration, Police Lieutenant Colonel ROBERT R. MANSUETO — a leader who places a high premium on smart and truly responsive public service. The digital systems he established, including the Traffic Information and Monitoring System (TIMS) and the Barangay e-Blotter System, are truly instrumental in promoting road safety and community collaboration. Mabuhay po ang ating “Western Visayas’ Champion of Digital Systems for Public Safety.”
Mr. President, the 10 Outstanding Filipinos before us are a good reminder that we do not need the highest office in government to be catalysts for positive change. We do not have to be famous to be remembered. We do not have to wait for perfect circumstances before we start doing what is right.
To our 2026 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos:
We thank you for choosing service again and again. We salute you for choosing excellence. And above all, thank you for showing us that not all heroes wear capes. Sometimes, they wear government IDs.
Mabuhay ang ating mga lingkod-bayan. Mabuhay ang mga natatanging Pilipino. At higit sa lahat, mabuhay ang Pilipinas.
Thank you, Mr. President.
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