Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said he will vote for the grant of the Senate Medal of Excellence to Nobel laureate Maria Ressa.

Ms. Ressa’s Nobel satisfies all the conditions in the Senate resolution governing the conferment of the Senate honor, according to Recto.

“But most important, it is the right thing to do. We cannot ignore an accolade which has been met with universal praise. Never has a Nobel winner been snubbed in his or her own homeland,” Recto said. 

Recto jokingly called the Senate a “commendable institution.” 

“Mga beauty contest placers, may pinapasa na resolution of commendation. Manalo sa boxing, may resolution of commendation. Tapos itong Nobel prize, dededmahin natin?” he said.

Recto said he expects some of his colleagues to voice out reservations against the awarding of the Senate medal.

“But I think come voting time, every one of us will demonstrate political sportsmanship,” he said.

Recto said “being examined by a critical press is in the job description of a public official.”

“May kasabihan na ‘a politician who complains against the press is like a ship captain who complains about the sea’. You can be pilloried and praised in equal doses. But the worst fate is to be ignored,” he said.

“As a Filipino, I am proud that a compatriot has deservingly won the Nobel for work that is essential for democracy to flourish,” he said.