BONG GO CO-SPONSONRS SENATE RESO ALLOWING LORENZANA CORDOBA TO RECEIVE AWARDS CONFERRED BY JAPAN GOV’T

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, together with his fellow senators, expressed his approval to allow Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) Chairperson Delfin Lorenzana and Commission on Audit (COA) Chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba to receive their awards from the government of Japan in November.

On Wednesday, March 15, the Senate adopted House Concurrent Resolution No. 9, taking into consideration Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 8 sponsored by Majority Leader Joel Villanueva and co-sponsored by Go.

The government of Japan is set to award “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star” and “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon” to Lorenzana and Cordoba, respectively, on November 3 this year.

The Order of the Rising Sun was established as Japan’s first award in 1875 to bestow decorations upon individuals in recognition of their services to the nation or the public. It is also given to foreigners who made notable contributions to enhancing bilateral relations.

“I rise today to express my support for the granting of consent to General Delfin Lorenzana, Chairman of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority and former Secretary of the Department of National Defense, and Attorney Gamaliel Asis Cordoba, Chairman of the Commission on Audit and former Commissioner of the National Telecommunications Commission, to receive the awards to be conferred on them by the Government of Japan for their contributions to Philippine-Japan relations,” expressed Go in his co-sponsorship speech inserted into the records during the Senate Plenary session on March 15.

Citing their significant contributions to the country, especially during the time of former president Rodrigo Duterte, Go highlighted that their individual works to strengthen bilateral relations between the Philippines and Japan have notably provided more economic opportunities to both countries.

“As former Secretary of National Defense, General Lorenzana has played a crucial role in strengthening our defense cooperation with Japan. He has worked tirelessly to promote security and stability in the region, and his efforts have not gone unnoticed,” Go cited.

“Likewise, Attorney Cordoba’s contributions to Philippine-Japan relations have been invaluable. As former Commissioner of the National Telecommunications Commission, he has worked to promote telecommunications cooperation between our two countries. His efforts have helped to foster closer ties between our peoples, and we are grateful for his service,” he continued.

Previous recipients of the same badge include former Senate President Edgardo Angara in 2013, former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo in 2002, former Philippine ambassador to Japan Ramon V. Del Rosario in 1992, and former foreign affairs secretary and United Nations General Assembly President Carlos P. Romulo in 1978.

“The fact that the Government of Japan has chosen to recognize General Lorenzana and Attorney Cordoba with these awards is a testament to the strength of our bilateral relations. It is also a reflection of the high esteem in which these individuals are held by the Japanese government. I am proud that both served the country during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte,” Go highlighted.

“Mr. President, again, I would like to commend Secretary Lorenzana and Secretary Cordoba for these well-deserved awards. Their contributions to Philippine-Japan relations have been significant, and the Filipino nation is proud to see them recognized in this way. Let us take this opportunity to celebrate their achievements and to strengthen the bonds of friendship between our two nations,” he concluded.