(ACKNOWLEDGEMENT)

Ladies and gentlemen, as trite as it may sound, it is an honor and a privilege to

join you this morning as we collectively recognize this group of Nueva Ecija’s finest
officers. I am humbled by the opportunity to share my thoughts, as well as our
collective appreciation and admiration for today’s honorees. 

In his work Common Sense, author Thomas Paine wrote that “…the harder the
conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too
lightly.” While Paine’s words were offered in the context of the sacrifices associated
with the Revolutionary War, his meaning, of course, was that we value things in life
more significantly if we have worked to achieve them and that if recognition comes
too easily, we do not appreciate it as we would have if we had worked for it.

Shortly today’s honorees will receive awards commemorating and memorializing

their respective contributions to their communities and to our country. As the
officers are called forth, I ask them to consider Paine’s words. These plaques and
proclamations only symbolize the great triumphs the honorees have received in our
noblest of professions. They merely are a token of the collective enthusiasm for the
dedicated self-sacrifice and desire you have shown to make your town or city, our
province, and our nation an ideal place in which to live and work—simply a better
place. Do not view this morning’s recognition too cheaply. Please understand that
we acknowledge that what you have done means so much more than what we can
convey in a simple plaque or certificate.

We live in a world that employs the term hero far too loosely. We overuse it for
movie stars, politicians, and professional athletes. And, while such individuals might
have unique, singular abilities and while they might, on occasion, even engage in
heroic efforts, they are not our true heroes. Likewise, I proudly share with you that
tonight’s award recipients and countless others like them who toil every day in
virtual anonymity or, perhaps, even in obscurity are our true heroes.

Ladies and gentlemen, those before you have—

 demonstrated professionalism under the most trying of circumstances;

 embodied patience when others long since would have walked away;
 demonstrated humanity toward people who some might say deserved none;
and
 shown dedication to duty as the clock ticked long past the end of their
scheduled workdays
 and those of their family members who waited patiently at home.

Therefore, I am pleased to recognize you as the best of the best, those who have
stood and said, “I can do that,” “I can give more,” or “I will walk in harm’s way.” This
salute to our finest officers constitutes the best we have to offer.

On behalf of the Pilippine National Police, I wish to extend my heartfelt

congratulations to today’s award recipients and countless others like them whose
day-to-day efforts may be somewhat more mundane, yet no less noble, for their
continuing efforts to keep Nueva Ecija safe. I also offer my sincere thanks to Nueva
Ecija Police Provincial Office for their ongoing efforts to recognize and truly motivate
law enforcement personnel from across our great province.
Thank you!