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FAST FACTS: List of Medal of Valor awardees and their privileges

Carmela Fonbuena

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FAST FACTS: List of Medal of Valor awardees and their privileges
Marawi hero Army Captain Rommel Sandoval is the latest recipient of Medal of Valor. He is only the 41st to receive the award since 1935.

MANILA, Philippines – The Medal of Valor is the highest combat award the military gives to recognize soldiers who perform “a deed of personal bravery or self-sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty so conspicuously as to distinguish him above his comrades.”

The late Army Captain Rommel Sandoval, one of Marawi heroes, is only the 41st recipient of the most coveted combat award since 1935. 

Before Sandoval, the last awardee was the late Private First Class Ian Pacquit, who died after he intentionally put himself in the line of fire to save his team. He was 21. (WATCH: Soldier killed in Zambo given highest military honor)

But it’s not always awarded posthumously. Seventeen out of the total 41 are still alive, and 5 of them remain in active service. (READ: Living heroes: 5 Filipino combat stories that won the Medal for Valor

The award also comes with privileges defined by law, Republic Act 9049.

Living recipients get a monthly gratuity pay, which President Rodrigo Duterte last year increased to P75,000 from P25,000. They receive receive this on top of their salaries or pension. In the case of posthumous awards, the gratuity pay will go to their wives or their children.  

The awardee, his widow, or her dependents are also entitled by law to be prioritized when applying for work in government, government housing program, loans not exceeding P500,000, and lease or acquisition of public lands.

They are exempted from paying tuition in public and private schools, universities, colleges, and other educational institutions. They can take up medicine or law.

If the children want to enter the Philippine Military Academy, they will also be priority for direct commision if qualified.  

They are also entitled to get 20% discount from hotels, transportation services, restaurants, threaters, carnivals, and when buying medicines among others. Private establishments may claim tax credits. 

Penalties for government officials or corporations that deny the awardee his privileges face up to 6 years imprisonment and penalty of up to P300,000. 

                                                                 MEDAL OF VALOR AWARDEES
PH Army Personnel
General Paulino Santos 1935 Deceased
LTC Egmidio Cruz 1944 Deceased
MGen Mariano Castañeda 1950 Deceased
Capt Conrad Yap 1951 Deceased
MSg Francisco Camacho 1955 Deceased
Cpl Weene Martillana 1955 Deceased
Maj Ferdinand Marcos 1958 Deceased
SSg Miguel Pastolero 1964 Deceased
Cpl Bienvenido Fajemolin 1980 Alive
1Lt Hilario Estrella 1987 Alive
Sgt Francisco Granfil 1989 Alive
Pfc Robert Salvador 1990 Alive
Cpt Arturo Ortiz 1990 Alive
2Lt Bartolome Vicente Bacarro 1991 Alive
Cpl Romualdo Rubi 1991 Alive
2Lt Jose Bandong 1992 Deceased
Ssg Roy Cuenca 1992 Alive
Cpt Cirilito Sobejana 1996 Alive
Cpt Eduardo Lucero 2000 Deceased
2Lt Herbert Dilag 2000 Alive
Sgt Claudio Forrosuelo 2000 Deceased
Ssg Lucio Curig 2000 Alive
Ltc Noel Buan 2004 Alive 
Ssg Leopoldo Diokno 2004 Alive
Pfc Ian Pacquit 2014 Deceased
Capt Rommel Sandoval 2017 Deceased
Philippine Navy Personnel
Pfc Nestor Acero 1983 Deceased
Cpt Custodio Parcon 1991 Alive
Sgt Tomas Campo Jr 2000 Deceased
1Lt Lolinato Toong 2000 Deceased
Sgt Domingo Deluana 2000 Deceased
LTC Ariel Querubin 2001 Alive
Ssg Herminigildo Yurong 2001 Deceased
Cpl Laurence Narag 2001 Deceased
Cpl Ernesto Layaguin 2001 Deceased
Philippine Air Force Personnel
LTC Jesus Villamor 1954 Deceased
Maj Danilo Atienza 1990 Deceased
A2C Ludegario Bactol 1990 Deceased
Philippine Constabulary Personnel
TSg Desidero Suson 1981 Deceased

MSg Isaias Silvestre Jr

1985

Alive

Sgt Jacinto Moreno

1986

Alive

Rappler.com

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