Malacañan Palace
2 July 2013

President Benigno S. Aquino III conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the Rank of Datu, (Katangiang Pilak) to outgoing Argentine Ambassador Joaquin Daniel Otero in a farewell call held in Malacañang.

His Excellency Ambassador Otero received the Grand Cross (Silver Distinction) in recognition of his efforts in mutual appreciation and nurturing friendship between Filipinos and the Argentine people.

He was also commended for cultivating and supporting mutual beneficial engagements between the two governments and for promoting enhanced bilateral trade and cooperation through the signing of several agreements. These included the Memorandum of Agreement between the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) and Instituto de Servicio Exterior de la Nacion (ISEN), Technical Cooperation Agreement, the Memorandum of Understanding on Sports Cooperation and the Agreement on Cultural Cooperation.

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