To All To Whom These Presents Shall Come, Greetings:

For his outstanding and exemplary accomplishments in the field of international relations and foreign policy formulation;

For pioneering the overseas Filipino workers program which opened the way for opportunities abroad for the Overseas Filipino Workers and for advancing labor as a major force in national and international affairs as the Secretary of Labor in 1967-71 and 1972-1986;

For his central role in establishing the democratic and constitutional framework of the Philippine Government as a member of the Constitutional Commission that drafted the 1987 Philippine Constitution;

For his sterling record as a Senator of the Republic in 1992-2002, and for his leadership and vision as Senate President Pro-Tempore in 1996-1999 and as President of the Senate in 1999-2000;

For his contributions to Philippine foreign policy as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in 1992-2002, particularly for his relentless efforts in steering the approval of treaties and for reinforcing international inter-parliamentary relations;

For his untiring efforts as Secretary of Foreign Affairs, at promoting the country’s national interests as an active and responsible member of the community of nations;

For his dedication in professionalizing the country’s foreign service and his consummate leadership and innovative vision which reaffirmed the Department of Foreign Affairs as the premiere Department of the Philippine Government;

For upholding the highest standards as a writer and journalist;

For his efforts in promoting and preserving the Filipino language;

For dedicating his life to serving his country and his people, with utmost integrity and professionalism.

Now, therefore, I, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Republic of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do hereby confer upon  The Honorable Blas F. Ople, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, the Order of Sikatuna, rank of  Datu, this 13th day of August in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Three.#