On April 29, 2013, the Government of Japan announced the conferment of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun on Mr. Edgardo J. Angara, Senator of the Republic of the Philippines.
This is to recognize Senator Angara's contributions to promoting friendly relations and developing economic cooperation between Japan and the Philippines.
As a senator, Mr. Angara has dedicated himself to nurturing the Philippines-Japan Parliamentarians Association (PJPA). In 1988, he became its founding president and headed the first PJPA delegation to Japan. He assumed its presidency anew in 1993 and is currently its Secretary General. Since establishing the PJPA, Senator Angara has been tirelessly promoting friendly relations between the two countries.
Senator Angara 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). In September 2006, the JPEPA was signed by both governments and entered into force in December 2008. Japan is now one of the largest trade and investment partners of the Philippines.
Mr. Angara was first elected to the Philippine Senate in 1987 after serving as president of the University of the Philippines from 1981 to 1987. In a career spanning more than 20 years at the Philippine Senate, he became Senate President from 1993 to 1995. He also served in the Executive branch of government as Secretary of Agriculture and Executive Secretary in 1999 and 2001, respectively.
As he completes his second consecutive term as senator in June, the Government of Japan wishes to express its hope that he will continue to take an active role in further strengthening close relations between our two nations. -End-
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