Press Release
November 8, 2016

Japan confers rare imperial honor on Drilon

Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin M. Drilon was conferred the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun by no less than Emperor Akihito and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

In solemn ceremonies in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan on November 8, Emperor Akihito bestowed the Order on Drilon and the Prime Minister conferred the certificate.

Senator Drilon was one of the foreign nationals given the highest recognition by the government of Japan. The awardees included former Speaker of U.S. House of Representatives John Boehner and former South Korean Foreign Minister Han Sung-joo.

The rare imperial honor is one of the highest distinctions the Japanese government bestows upon an individual.

Drilon was recognized for his "contributions to promoting friendly relations and developing economic cooperation between Japan and the Philippines."

Previous Filipino recipients of the award were the late Carlos P. Romulo, former foreign secretary and president of the United Nations General Assembly, former Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco, and former Senator Edgardo J. Angara.

Other foreign dignitaries who received the distinction were no less than the late Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, former British Prime Minister Sir John Major and former United States Senator Daniel Inouye.

"I am deeply honored and humbled by this recognition. This award a testament to Japan and the Philippine's strong relation that is rooted on mutual understanding, respect and cooperation," Drilon said.

"Japan is a reliable treaty ally, and among the top foreign aid donors. Our country has immensely benefited from Japan's various development projects implemented throughout the country," Drilon said.

"I will continue to take an active role in maintaining and strengthening close relations between the Philippines and Japan," Drilon vowed.

Drilon is the current president of the Philippine-Japan Parliamentarians Association (PJPA). Since his election as president of the PJPA in 2011, Drilon has promoted the enhancement of the Philippines' warm and friendly relations with Japan in political, economic, cultural, and social spheres.

Through his leadership in PJPA, he has forged warm relations with members of the Japanese government and helped deepen the exchange between Philippine and Japan parliamentarians through the PJPA's counterpart JPPFL.

Drilon is currently serving his fourth term as senator. He was first elected as senator in 1995. He was elected to the third highest position in the land as Senate President four times in the 11th, 12th, 13th, and 16th Congresses, or for a total of eight years, making him the longest serving Senate President since Congress was reestablished in 1987.

News Latest News Feed