07 July 2020 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. conferred on outgoing Hungarian Ambassador József Bencze the Order of Sikatuna, Rank of Datu (Grand Cross), Gold Distinction, during his farewell call at the Department of Foreign Affairs on 06 July 2020.
Secretary Locsin expressed his appreciation for the Ambassador’s initiatives and notable efforts in enhancing Philippines-Hungary bilateral relations. He reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to strengthening the friendship between the two countries.
Ambassador Bencze’s tenure saw the reopening of the Hungarian Embassy in Manila in 2016 and its formal inauguration in 2017 by Foreign and Trade Minister Péter Szijjártó during his visit to Manila. Secretary Locsin made an official visit to Hungary in 2019.
The Philippines and Hungary concluded ten agreements since 2016, spanning the fields of agriculture, investments, science and education, culture, sports, and economic cooperation.
The Hungarian Ambassador is ending his tour-of-duty in the Philippines after almost four years as Hungary’s top envoy in the country.
