Marcos confers Order of Sikatuna on outgoing French envoy Fontanel

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday conferred the Order of Sikatuna on outgoing French Ambassador Marie Fontanel, honoring her role in strengthening defense, economic and diplomatic ties between Manila and Paris.

Marcos bestowed on Fontanel the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Datu (Grand Cross), Silver Distinction, during her farewell call at Malacañang.

The award recognized Fontanel’s contributions to advancing bilateral relations during her three-year stint as France’s envoy to the Philippines.

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Her citation highlighted her role in advancing defense cooperation that culminated in the signing of the Philippines-France Status of Visiting Forces Agreement in March.

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It also cited Fontanel’s efforts to promote France’s support for a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific and the Philippines’ maritime security efforts in the West Philippine Sea.

Fontanel was also recognized for sustaining political and economic engagement between Manila and Paris. Her work helped strengthen trade and investment ties in infrastructure, transportation and energy.

The citation also credited her with expanding Philippine access to sustainable financing through financial and development cooperation.

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Fontanel was further cited for promoting people-to-people ties through cultural and educational programs. These efforts helped deepen friendship and mutual understanding between Filipinos and the French.

During the farewell call, Marcos and Fontanel exchanged messages of appreciation and discussed key developments in Philippines-France relations over the past three years.

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Fontanel was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the French Republic to the Philippines and Micronesia in August 2023.

Earlier Monday, Marcos also received United States Undersecretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby and Assistant Secretary of War for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs John Noh at Malacañang.

The courtesy call was part of Marcos’ diplomatic engagements with key Indo-Pacific partners as the Philippines seeks to strengthen its defense and strategic relationships. /jpv