ON 10 August 2026, Ambassador Endo Kazuya (left) hosted a reception to congratulate former Secretary of the Department of Finance and the Department of Trade and Industry Cesar V. Purisima on his conferment of The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, as part of the 2026 Spring Conferment of Decorations on Foreign Nationals.
PHOTOGRAPH courtesy of Embassy of Japan in the Philippines
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Former Finance and Trade Secretary Cesar V. Purisima was recognized by Japan for his role in strengthening economic and financial ties between the two countries, receiving the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star.
Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya hosted a reception on 10 August to honor Purisima, whose government service helped advance major economic initiatives involving Japan during his terms as Trade and Industry secretary from 2003 to 2005 and Finance secretary from 2010 to 2016.
Key role
Purisima played a key role in negotiations for the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, the country’s first bilateral free trade agreement, during his tenure at the Department of Trade and Industry.
As finance secretary, he also supported amendments to the Foreign Bank Liberalization Act, which helped pave the way for Japanese banks to expand their presence in the Philippine financial sector and strengthened bilateral financial cooperation.
The Japanese government presented Purisima with the medal and certificate in recognition of his contributions.
Longstanding efforts
During the reception, Ambassador Endo praised Purisima’s longstanding efforts to deepen the economic partnership between Japan and the Philippines. Department of Economy, Planning, and Development Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan also delivered congratulatory remarks and led the toast.
The gathering brought together senior government officials, business leaders and representatives of Japanese organizations, underscoring the breadth of economic ties between the two countries.
Among those present were former Senate President Franklin M. Drilon, Office of the President Deputy Executive Secretary Danielle Marie Rieza-Culangen, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli M. Remolona Jr., Bureau of the Treasury National Treasurer Sharon Almanza and Securities and Exchange Commission chairperson Francis E. Lim.
Business leaders in attendance included Philippine Stock Exchange chairman Jose T. Pardo, Jollibee Foods Corp. CEO Tony Tan Caktiong, JG Summit Holdings president Lance Y. Gokongwei, Bank of the Philippine Islands president Jose K. Limcaoco, SM Investments chairman Amando Tetangco Jr. and Ayala Corp. president Cezar P. Consing.
