‘Thank you for the honor’—Grace Tan

May I thank the Inquirer very much for the great honor of being the newspaper’s 2014 “Filipino of the Year,” along with Justice Secretary Leila de Lima and

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales. I am truly humbled, specially being in the company of Secretary De Lima and Ombudsman Morales whom I highly respect and who are my role models.

It also came on my last official working day, a most unexpected send-off on a high note, indeed.

This is for God and country. I shall treasure it forever, and rest assured that even as a private citizen, I shall continue to serve our people with the same commitment, fortitude and ethical standards.

More power, and again, thank you, Inquirer, for your trust.

—MARIA GRACIA M. PULIDO TAN