2026 Spring Conferment of Decoration
2026/4/29
On 29 April 2026, the Government of Japan announced the recipients of the 2026 Spring Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals. From the Philippines, the following two individuals have been honored:
Former Senate President, Aquilino Martin dela Llana Pimentel III: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun
Former Secretary of Finance, Cesar V. Purisima: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star
Hon. Aquilino Martin dela Llana Pimentel III served as Senate President from 2016 to 2018. During his tenure as Senate President, he contributed to the approval of the Japan-Philippines Social Security Agreement, thereby promoting people-to-people exchanges and strengthening economic relations between Japan and the Philippines.
He also played a key role in enhancing inter-parliamentary exchanges, including realizing the visit to the Philippines by the President of the House of Councillors — the only such visit by a sitting President of the House of Councillors.
Furthermore, following the resignation of former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo, he submitted a resolution commending Prime Minister Abe's efforts to strengthen Japan-Philippines relations. The resolution was passed with all members of the Senate joining as co-sponsors, further contributing to the strengthening of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Hon. Cesar V. Purisima served as Secretary of Finance from 2010 to 2016. During his tenure, he led the amendment of the law on foreign bank liberalization, facilitating the entry of Japanese banks into the Philippine financial market and contributing to the deepening of economic and financial cooperation between the two countries.
He also served as Secretary of Trade and Industry from 2003 to 2005. In this capacity, he demonstrated strong leadership in economic policy, including securing the foundational agreement for the Philippines’ first bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan. These efforts expanded trade and investment cooperation, significantly enhancing economic ties between Japan and the Philippines.
Former Senate President, Aquilino Martin dela Llana Pimentel III: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun
Former Secretary of Finance, Cesar V. Purisima: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star
Hon. Aquilino Martin dela Llana Pimentel III served as Senate President from 2016 to 2018. During his tenure as Senate President, he contributed to the approval of the Japan-Philippines Social Security Agreement, thereby promoting people-to-people exchanges and strengthening economic relations between Japan and the Philippines.
He also played a key role in enhancing inter-parliamentary exchanges, including realizing the visit to the Philippines by the President of the House of Councillors — the only such visit by a sitting President of the House of Councillors.
Furthermore, following the resignation of former Prime Minister ABE Shinzo, he submitted a resolution commending Prime Minister Abe's efforts to strengthen Japan-Philippines relations. The resolution was passed with all members of the Senate joining as co-sponsors, further contributing to the strengthening of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He also served as Secretary of Trade and Industry from 2003 to 2005. In this capacity, he demonstrated strong leadership in economic policy, including securing the foundational agreement for the Philippines’ first bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with Japan. These efforts expanded trade and investment cooperation, significantly enhancing economic ties between Japan and the Philippines.