Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Study Room, Malacañan Palace
August 10, 2026
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Datu (Grand Cross), Silver Distinction, upon Her Excellency Marie Fontanel, Ambassador of France to the Philippines, during a farewell call at the Study Room of Malacañan Palace.
The conferment recognized her contributions to strengthening Philippine-French relations and deepening cooperation between the two countries.
The citation credited Ambassador Fontanel with advancing defense cooperation, particularly her contributions to the signing of the Philippines-France Status of Visiting Forces Agreement in March 2026. It also cited her efforts to articulate France’s support for a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific and for the Philippines’ maritime security efforts.
The envoy’s contributions to sustaining political and economic engagement between Manila and Paris were also recognized, including efforts to strengthen trade and investment cooperation in infrastructure, transportation and energy, and to expand Philippine access to sustainable financing through financial and development cooperation.
Ambassador Fontanel was further recognized for promoting people-to-people ties through cultural and educational programs that helped foster greater friendship, understanding, and mutual appreciation between the Filipino and French people.
* * *
Connect with RTVM
Website: http://rtvm.gov.ph
Facebook: facebook.com/presidentialcom and facebook.com/rtvmalacanang
YouTube: @RTVMalacanang
Tiktok: @RTVMalacanang
Study Room, Malacañan Palace
August 10, 2026
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. conferred the Order of Sikatuna with the rank of Datu (Grand Cross), Silver Distinction, upon Her Excellency Marie Fontanel, Ambassador of France to the Philippines, during a farewell call at the Study Room of Malacañan Palace.
The conferment recognized her contributions to strengthening Philippine-French relations and deepening cooperation between the two countries.
The citation credited Ambassador Fontanel with advancing defense cooperation, particularly her contributions to the signing of the Philippines-France Status of Visiting Forces Agreement in March 2026. It also cited her efforts to articulate France’s support for a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific and for the Philippines’ maritime security efforts.
The envoy’s contributions to sustaining political and economic engagement between Manila and Paris were also recognized, including efforts to strengthen trade and investment cooperation in infrastructure, transportation and energy, and to expand Philippine access to sustainable financing through financial and development cooperation.
Ambassador Fontanel was further recognized for promoting people-to-people ties through cultural and educational programs that helped foster greater friendship, understanding, and mutual appreciation between the Filipino and French people.
* * *
Connect with RTVM
Website: http://rtvm.gov.ph
Facebook: facebook.com/presidentialcom and facebook.com/rtvmalacanang
YouTube: @RTVMalacanang
Tiktok: @RTVMalacanang
