Japan Confers Decoration on Honorable Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin M. Drilon

On November 3, 2016, the Government of Japan announced the conferment of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun on Honorable Franklin M. Drilon, Senate President Pro-Tempore of the Republic of the Philippines.

This is in recognition of Senator Drilon’s contributions to promoting friendly relations and developing economic cooperation between Japan and the Philippines.

Senator Drilon has dedicated himself to nurturing the Philippines-Japan Parliamentarians Association (PJPA) since 1999. In 2011, he became PJPA president and contributed significantly to deepening the friendship between the PJPA and its counterpart, the Japan-Philippines Parliamentarians Friendship League (JPPFL). 

Senator Drilon has also played an invaluable role in enhancing our economic relations by, among others, supporting the ratification of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) – which was signed by both governments in September 2006 and entered into force in December 2008. His efforts in this regard have contributed to Japan’s status as one of the largest trade and investment partners of the Philippines today.

The Government of Japan wishes to express its hope that Honorable Senator Drilon will continue to take an active role in further strengthening close relations between our two nations.

(The conferment of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun on Honorable  Cesar E.A. Virata, former Prime Minister of the Republic of the Philippines. Please click the link below:)