QuestionsQuestions (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 571)
Executive Order No. 571 (27 February 1953) created a decoration called the Order of Sikatuna.
It may be awarded by the President (and also by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs in the President’s name/authority) to personnel of the Department of Foreign Affairs (Home Office and foreign service), persons rendering exceptional and meritorious services to the Republic, and diplomats/officials/nationals of foreign states who rendered conspicuous services in fostering, developing, and strengthening friendly relations with the Philippines.
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs may award it in the name of and by authority of the President.
It commemorates the first treaty (Pacto de Sangre) between the Philippines and a foreign country.
It has four ranks: Raja, Lakan, Maginoo, and Maharlika.
Heads of state, former heads of state, Cabinet secretaries, and diplomats of at least ambassadorial or equivalent rank—Filipino or foreign—for extraordinary services in foreign relations.
Ambassadors, ministers, officials of equivalent rank as ambassadors and ministers, and other distinguished persons—Filipino or foreign—for outstanding services in foreign relations.
They must have a minimum of six (6) years service in the government before entitlement.
Senior officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs (Home Office or foreign service) below ministerial rank for excellent services in foreign relations; it may also be given to government officials of comparable rank in the Philippines and foreign countries, and private citizens deserving such honor.
Junior officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs (Home Office or foreign service), and also government officials of the Philippines and of foreign countries, and private citizens deserving the honor.
They must have a minimum of four (4) years service in the government.
No. It may be awarded to diplomats/officials/nationals of foreign states and to Filipino and foreign persons in the specified ranks, depending on their services.
Yes. If awarded posthumously, it is received by the legal heirs; if none, by the nearest of kin; and if none, by a person designated by the President or the Secretary of Foreign Affairs acting by authority of the President to receive on behalf of the deceased.
The Philippine Heraldry Committee proposes the form, make, design, manner of wearing, and other details; the President approves them.
It applies to DFA personnel both in the Home Office and in the Foreign Service.
Raja: far extraordinary services in foreign relations; Lakan: outstanding services in foreign relations; Maginoo: excellent services in foreign relations; Maharlika: service as junior DFA officers and other deserving persons, with entitlement subject to the stated service requirement for Filipinos.