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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Banking & Finance devider Former finance chief Cesar Purisima receives prestigious imperial award from Japan

Former finance chief Cesar Purisima receives prestigious imperial award from Japan

Published Aug 11, 2026 06:46 am
(From Left) Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, former Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, Corrie Purisima, Madame Akiko Endo, and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan pose during the conferment ceremony of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star on Monday, Aug. 10. (Photo credit: Arsenio M. Balisacan)
(From Left) Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, former Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima, Corrie Purisima, Madame Akiko Endo, and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan pose during the conferment ceremony of the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star on Monday, Aug. 10. (Photo credit: Arsenio M. Balisacan)
Former Philippine Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima has been conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Star, by Emperor Naruhito of Japan, recognizing his contributions to deepening economic relations between the two nations.
Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya led the conferment ceremony on Monday night, Aug. 10, alongside Purisima’s wife, Corrie Purisima, presenting the imperial honor on behalf of the Japanese government.

Purisima, who served as finance chief from 2010 to 2016 under the administration of the late President Benigno Aquino III, spearheaded several landmark initiatives that expanded bilateral trade, boosted investment flows, and strengthened Manila’s economic integration with Tokyo.
During his tenure, Purisima championed the implementation of the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, a bilateral trade agreement that expanded duty-free access for Philippine exports and fostered deeper cooperation across industrial and labor sectors.
He was also instrumental in liberalizing the Philippine banking sector, paving the way for major Japanese financial institutions to establish operations and extend credit facilities in the country.
Under his leadership at the Department of Finance (DOF), the Philippines achieved investment-grade credit ratings for the first time, buoyed in part by heightened foreign direct investment from Japanese manufacturers and infrastructure developers.
Bilateral trade between the two nations reached tens of billions of pesos annually during his term, solidifying Japan’s status as one of the Philippines’ primary trading partners and top sources of official development assistance.
The conferment ceremony drew key economic managers and political figures, highlighting Purisima’s lasting influence on Philippine economic policy.
Attendees included Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Eli Remolona Jr., Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, Monetary Board Member Rosalia V. de Leon, and National Treasurer Sharon P. Almanza.
Former officials present included former Senate President Franklin Drilon, former BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr., former Finance Secretary Jose Pardo, former Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., former Cabinet Secretary Rene Almendras, former Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, and former Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo.
The conferment was part of Japan’s 2026 Spring Imperial Decorations. Former Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III was also honored during the cycle, receiving the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun for his work in advancing parliamentary diplomacy between the two countries.

Related Tags

Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima Department of Finance (DOF) JAPAN EMBASSY IN THE PHILIPPINES
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