French envoy to Philippines named Knight in the Legion of Honor

MANILA, Philippines - French Ambassador Gilles Garachon was recently named Chevalier (Knight) in the Legion d’honneur (Legion of Honor) by the French government in a reception last December 16 at the French Residence in Makati. The insignia was given to Ambassador Garachon in the presence of Filipinos who have likewise been recognized by the French government, such as former House Speaker Jose de Venecia, Ambassador Cristina Ortega, Ambassador Hector Villaroel and former UP President Francisco Nemenzo.

Since taking up his post as the top envoy of France in the Philippines 2012, Ambassador Garachon has been instrumental in a series of events that strengthened French-Philippine bilateral relations, such as the official visit of French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, the launch of the exhibit “Philippines: Archipelago of Exchanges” at the Quai Branly Museum in Paris, and more recently, the visit of President Aquino to France, which French President Hollande is expected to reciprocate early 2015.