The Philippine Legion of Honor (PLH) (; ) is the primary order of military merit of the Philippines conferred to citizens and military personnel, Filipino and foreign.
History The PLH traces its origins sometime in 1946 to Gilbert Perez, the Secretary of the Philippine Heraldry Committee, who sought help from American General Douglas MacArthur to establish a new award to reward those who helped liberate the Philippines during the Second World War. In a letter addressed to Executive Secretary Emilio Abello, it was initially planned to be called as the Legion of Philippine Liberation, but was later renamed as the Philippine Legion of Honor. It was patterned after the American Legion of Merit, and the French Legion of Honor.
It was formally established by President Manuel Roxas (through Philippine Army Circular No. 60 dated July 3, 1947).
Conferment General Criteria The PLH is conferred upon Filipino civilians and military personnel, as well as citizens and military personnel of foreign allied nations, for meritorious service in military/defense affairs, or for contributions to the preservation of the honor of the Republic.
For civilians, it is conferred for their prior military/defense service, or for life achievement in public service. For military personnel, it is awarded to those who have performed exceptionally in the conduct of their duties.
It is awarded by the President of the Philippines, or by the Secretary of National Defense in the name, and by authority of the President. It is the highest award that the President can confer to anyone without the need for approval by the Congress, opposite to the Quezon Service Cross (for civilians and government officials), and the Medal of Valor (for military personnel).
Ranks Originally, like its American counterpart, the PLH had four classes, known as degrees, with Legionnaire being the basic degree, and Chief Commander being the highest.
With the reform of the Philippine system of orders and decorations in 2003, the PLH's classes were renamed ranks instead of degrees, and two new civilian ranks, namely Grand Commander, and Grand Officer, were added.
The following is the criteria for both the civilian, and military divisions of the PLH: +Rank (Degree, pre-2003)Criteria for ConfermentCivilian (Conferred upon...)Military (Awarded to...) Chief Commander (CCLH) (Punong Komandante) a civilian for life achievement in public service not otherwise qualifying for the Quezon Service Cross a former or incumbent head of state and/or of government the President (or their counterparts in friendly nations) highest ranking military officers Chief of Staff or their counterpart "for eminently meritorious and valuable service in a position of major responsibility; the performance of such duty must merit exceptional recognition. However, a superior performance of the moral duties of a position shall not alone justify the award." Grand Commander (GCLH) (Marangal na Komandante) a civilian for singular acts of service with a tangible impact on the Philippine military sphere a crown prince Vice President Senate President Speaker of the House Chief Justice or the equivalent foreign minister or other official of cabinet rank an Ambassador, Undersecretary, Assistant Secretary other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing for life achievement in the military field added in 2003 Grand Officer (GOLH) (Marangal na Pinuno) a civilian for acts of exemplary merit benefiting the Republic of the Philippines a chargé d'affaires e.p., Minister Minister Counselor Consul General heading a consular post Executive Director other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing added in 2003 Commander (CLH) (Komandante) a civilian for acts of conspicuous merit benefiting the Republic Chargé d'affaires a.i., Counselor First Secretary Consul General in the consular section of an Embassy Consular officer with a personal rank higher than Second Secretary Director other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing Chief of Staff of the AFP (including the Chief of the Philippine Constabulary) Vice Chief of Staff of the AFP Commanding General, PA Flag Officer-in-Command, PN Commanding General, PAF Commandant, PMC unified Commanders (or their equivalent in friendly nations) Senate President Chief Justice Heads of Departments "for eminently meritorious and valuable service in a position of major responsibility, but in a lesser degree of category not warranting the rank of Chief Commander (CCLH)" Officer (OLH) (Pinuno) a civilian for acts of commendable merit benefiting the Republic a Second Secretary Consul Assistant Director other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing military personnel with at least the rank of Brigadier General (pay grade O-7) for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, but in a lesser degree of category not warranting the award of the rank of Commander (CLH) military personnel (regardless of rank) not qualifying for the Distinguished Service Star "for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service" Legionnaire (LLH) (Lehiyonaryo) a civilian for acts of merit benefiting the Republic a Third Secretary Vice Consul Attaché Principal Assistant other person of a rank similar or equivalent to the foregoing military personnel (regardless of rank) "for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, but to a lesser extent not warranting the award of the rank of Officer (OLH), or for meritorious service of more value than the Military Merit Medal" Recipients of the PLH may be re-awarded the same rank (degree, pre-2003); in such cases (and regardless if the conferment is of a civilian or military nature), a Bronze Anahaw Leaf is appurtenant to the already-existing PLH medal ribbon, following the practice done in the AFP regarding military decorations. Such is the case for former President Fidel V. Ramos (CLH, 1986, 1988, 1991); his PLH ribbon therefore contains three Bronze Anahaw Leaves, denoting the three succeeding awards in the same rank/degree, on top of his CLH conferment upon being appointed as the Chief of the Philippine Constabulary-Director General of the Integrated National Police during the Marcos Sr. administration.
In rare cases, a recipient can be awarded two different ranks of the PLH, such is the case for Filipino Senators Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. (OLH, 1950; CLH, 1954; 1958), and Lorenzo M. Tañada (LLH, 1947; CCLH, 1986).
Insignia The badge of the PLH was designed by Galo Ocampo, former Director of the National Museum, who also designed the Coat of Arms of the Philippines, as well as the nation's presidential seal. It has multiple interwoven symbols presenting the highest forms of representation of the Philippines as a nation.
Obverse The badge of the PLH is shaped as a golden eight-rayed sun (similar to what is used in the Philippine flag) bordered in red enamel resting on a laurel garland. At the center of the sun is a golden disk with a concaved white octagon; resting on the octagon is a golden sealion (leodelfin) holding a sword.
Reverse The back of all PLH insignias is plain, albeit with inscriptions. Opposite the ring that composes the laurel garland is the official name of the Philippines embossed in arc ("REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES"). Opposite the ring that composes the top part of the sun, the phrase "FOR MERITORIOUS SERVICE" is also embossed in arc. The center space is reserved for the engraved name of the recipient.
Symbolism and Significance Sealion - the outstanding service/achievements rendered to the Philippines, and the President as well
Eight-rayed sun - the first eight provinces that revolted against Spain during the Revolution of 1896
Red outline of the sun - bravery and courage in the execution of the deed warranting the PLH
Manner of Wear The PLH, being in six ranks is appropriately worn in formal occasions, regardless of gender, as follows:
Legionnaire (LLH): badge worn on the left breast suspended from a ribbon Officer (OLH): badge worn on the left breast, suspended from a ribbon with a Sampaguita wreath, and a golden sun appurtenance; the miniature version of the latter is also attached to its service ribbon Commander (CLH): badge around the neck suspended from a ribbon necklet; a golden sun appurtenance above a silver bar is attached to its service ribbon Chief Commander (CCLH): badge affixed to a sash worn over the right shoulder, accompanied with a breast badge pinned on the left breast; a golden sun appurtenance above a gold bar is attached to its service ribbon
As the ranks of Grand Officer (GOLH), and Grand Commander (GCLH) are relatively new due to the 2003 reforms on awards and decorations, they are presumably worn the same way as would a Commander (CLH), but with varied additional appurtenances respective of their rank.
All recipients, regardless of rank/degree, are also presented a miniature medal, differing only on the appurtenance attached to the service ribbon, previously described above.
Notable recipients NOTE: The names of recipients arranged in year of conferment, then in alphabetical order, to emphasize the longevity of the Order. Only recipients either with a proprietary Wikipedia article who has a verifiable source that they did receive the PLH, or those without but were conferred multiple awards of the PLH are featured.
Chief Commander (CCLH) +RecipientDate of ConfermentDesignation/DistinctionFranklin D. RooseveltJuly 4, 1947former President of the United States (posthumous; first-ever recipient of the PLH)Chiang Kai-shek1949former President of the Republic of ChinaSukarnoFebruary 3, 1951former President of IndonesiaFrancisco FrancoOctober 7, 1951Head (Caudillo) of the Spanish StateMaxwell D. Taylor1955U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of StaffEmilio AguinaldoJuly 3, 1957revolutionary leader; inaugural President of the PhilippinesJose P. LaurelMarch 9, 1959former President of the PhilippinesDouglas MacArthur1961American military officer; Commander, United States Army Forces Far East (USAFFE) during the Second World WarDwight D. EisenhowerApril 9, 1961American military officer; former President of the United StatesBhumibol AdulyadejJanuary 1968King of ThailandFerdinand Marcos, Sr.September 11, 1972former President of the Philippines (self-conferred)Imelda MarcosSeptember 11, 1972First Lady of the Philippines (conferred by her husband)John W. Foss1981Americal military officer; Chief, Joint United State Military Assistance Group (Philippines)Lorenzo M. TañadaAugust 10, 1986Philippine Senator, statesman, World War II guerilla
also conferred the PLH, rank/degree of Legionnaire (1947)Claudio TeehankeeApril 21, 1988former Chief Justice of the Supreme CourtJoaquin "Chino" RocesOctober 5, 1988businessman and newspaper publisher; founder of the Associated Broadcasting Company, and the Manila Times
also conferred the PLH, rank/degree of Officer (June 30, 1998)Jaime L. Cardinal Sin1992former Archbishop of ManilaDaniel Inouye1993American military officer and SenatorSergio OsmeñaOctober 20, 1994former President of the Philippines (posthumous)Haji Hassanal BolkiahMarch 5, 1998Sultan of Brunei DarussalamAkihitoDecember 3, 2002former Emperor of JapanDelfin BangitJune 22, 2010former Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines