By SAMMY JULIAN
Manila News Bureau Chief
MANILA – President Benigno Aquino III conferred on US President Barack Obama the Order of Sikatuna with the highest rank of Raja or Grand Collar for demonstrating an unwavering commitment to the growth and development of the Philippines.
The conferment was made during Monday night’s state dinner at the Palace for the visiting US leader.
“Your visit, the eighth by a US president, has been a long time coming, and it marks yet another important chapter in our relations,” said President Aquino in his toast to Obama. “Your presence here today reaffirms the strong bond between our nations.”
Since 1953, the highest recognition of diplomatic merit of the Philippines has been the Order of Sikatuna. It is conferred on those who have fostered and elevated the bilateral partnership of the country with other nations.
The first US President to receive this distinction was Dwight Eisenhower in 1960.
“I have the distinct pleasure to confer the highest rank, that of Raja or Grand Collar, on you, Mr. President, for your leadership and policies that assisted the Philippines in times of natural disasters, for helping uphold stability and peace by means of the rule of law in Southeast Asia, and for working with us to fundamentally raise the defense capacity of our country,” said Aquino amid applause from guests the included government officials, foreign dignitaries and members of the foreign and local press.
According to the Philippine President, his discussions with his American counterpart on Monday highlighted the ongoing dialogue and cooperation between the Philippines and the US as the two countries “adapt and respond to the changing circumstances and the paramount challenges of the 21st century.”
“The world has come to realize that stability is a necessary foundation of progress and prosperity for all our peoples. Alliances are deepened not only through a shared history, but also through mutual confidence and respect, which is constantly refreshed to give new relevance and purpose to our positive, longstanding relations,” he said./PN
