LOOK: Bayan Muna's Zarate shows off his Congressional Medal of Distinction


House Deputy Minority leader and Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate was awarded the Congressional Medal of Distinction on Wednesday, June 1 during the final session of the 18th Congress.

Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate (Bayan Muna)

(Bayan Muna)

At the center of the rather impressive-looking medal is the House of Representatives emblem.

"It extolled his (Zarate's) advocacies for the poor and the marginalized as well as his continuing fight for a truly democratic society where every people's rights and welfare are protected," the solon's camp said of the award.

After the House's sine die adjournment of the 18th Congress Wednesday night, the House leadership held a special recognition to graduating representatives who have already finished their three, three-year terms.

(Bayan Muna)

Just before this, the House Secretariat led by Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza paid tribute to each congressman in a special ceremony titled, “Pagpupugay sa mga Kinatawan ng Ika-18 Kongreso.”