Indonesia to bestow highest gov't award on Aquino

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III is set to receive the highest award conferred by the Indonesian government to individuals who have served the island nation.

In an interview with Radio and TV Malacañang, Philippine Ambassador to Indonesia Maria Rosario Aguinaldo said Aquino will be conferred the "Bintang Republik Indonesia Adipurna" or the Star of the Republic of Indonesia.

Aguinaldo said the award is the highest decoration given by the Indonesian government to persons who served the "integrity, viability and greatness of Indonesia."

"This is the first time a Filipino is receiving the award," Rosario said.

According to the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Aquino will be awarded in recognition of his "continued strong commitments and merits in promoting the bilateral ties between Indonesia and the Philippines in the past few years in many fields."

The PCOO said Aquino will receive the award on the sidelines of the 7th Bali Democracy Forum on Friday.

Rosario said the award was bestowed in the past on Indonesian presidents as well as royalties and foreign heads of state.

Among these leaders are Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand and former President Lee Myung-bak of South Korea, the PCOO said.

Aquino is scheduled to arrive in Bali on Thursday evening to attend the international forum along with other world leaders.

"President Aquino, as co-chair of this year’s Bali Democratic Forum, will speak at the conference to share our country’s rich experience in achieving democracy leading to the implementation of the democratic processes in our nation," the PCOO quoted Executive Pacquito Ochoa as saying.

"As the son of democracy icons – the late Senator Ninoy Aquino and former President Cory Aquino – President Aquino can truly be an inspiration to other heads of states and governments and the rest of the participants," he added.

The PCOO said the government spent P7.1 million for Aquino's participation in the forum.

The amount will be for the transportation, accommodation, food, equipment and other requirements of the President and his 47-member delegation.