President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo conferred Thursday the Order of Lakandula with Rank of Grand Cross (Bayani) on the late Press Secretary Cerge Remonde as he lay in state at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang Palace.

His widow, Marit Stinus-Remonde, received the posthumous award, given “for his outstanding service to the Republic of the Philippines and in recognition of his life as an exemplary media man and public servant.”

In her speech, the President praised Remonde for his selfless dedication as a public servant and for his achievement as a journalist, noting he reached his peak in her administration.

The late Cabinet Secretary’s body, brought from Heritage Park in Taguig City, will be flown to Cebu Friday morning.