BBM certain PH to sustain ties with Japan
PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to preserving strong ties with Japan as he expressed willingness to explore different areas of cooperation between the two nations.
Marcos made the statement as he witnessed the conferment of The Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun to former Senate president Manuel Villar Jr. by the government of Japan in a ceremony in Malacañang on Friday.
In his remarks, the President recognized Villar’s significant contribution “to the current strong bilateral relations between the Philippines and Japan.”
He also expressed willingness “to
explore different areas of cooperation with Japan” and affirmed his commitment “to sustain the trajectory of diplomatic ties between the two nations.”
Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa presented the award to Villar on behalf of the Emperor of Japan.
The Order of the Rising Sun is a Japanese decoration of honor awarded by the government of Japan to individuals from both Japan and abroad who have made distinguished achievements in their field, as well as meritorious service and contributions to the advancement of Japan in a variety of areas, except military service.
In April, the Japan government first announced Villar would be a recipient of the grand cordon in recognition of his contributions to strengthening economic bilateral relations between Japan and the Philippines.
The embassy of Japan in Manila cited that the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement and the “Protocol Amending the Convention Between Japan and the Republic of the Philippines for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Income Taxes” were ratified in 2008 while Villar served as Senate president.
Japan also commended Villar for supporting the “Agreement on Technical Cooperation Between the Government of Japan and the Republic of the Philippines.
“Japan highly valued his efforts in supporting and promoting the bilateral and economic relations between Japan and the Philippines,” the embassy said in a statement.
Villar, for his part, expressed gratitude to Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Koshikawa, and the people of Japan for “this eminent decoration.”
“Most of all, I thank President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., our guest of honor, for joining me and my family on this special occasion. I am both humbled and deeply honored,” he said.
In another development on the diplomatic front, senior Philippine and Australian foreign affairs and defense officials convened at the Manila Diamond Hotel on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022, for the 6th Philippines-Australia Strategic Dialogue (PASD).
Last held virtually in 2020, the PASD is the main forum for the two countries to discuss and coordinate strategic priorities and matters of mutual importance.
Australia and the Philippines shared updates on their respective foreign and defense policies and priorities, took stock of progress made in important areas of the bilateral relationship, discussed upcoming activities, and shared views on regional dynamics.
Both countries also discussed ways they could strengthen their foreign and defense cooperation and collaboration, in particular on maritime security as well as transnational crimes, both bilaterally and through multilateral organizations.
Both countries expressed their ongoing commitment to supporting a rules-based regional order with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) at the center.
Both sides also reaffirmed the importance of maritime cooperation activities, including the conduct of maritime dialogues, joint exercises, capacity-building activities, training, and logistics support, which show the common maritime perspectives underpinning the two countries’ maritime cooperative endeavors.