Conferment of the Order of Sikatuna on Former Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Philippines Hisham Sultan Abdullah  Alqahtani

Ambassador Raymond R. Balatbat and former Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Philippines Hisham Sultan Abdullah Alqahtani during the conferment of the Order of Sikatuna  

RIYADH 01 July 2025 — On 25 June 2025 Ambassador Raymond R. Balatbat conferred the Order of Sikatuna  (Rank of Datu, Silver Distinction) on Hisham Sultan Abdullah Alqahtani—former  Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Republic of the Philippines—at a special  ceremony held at the Chancery of the Philippine Embassy.  

Ambassador Balatbat had conferred the award on behalf of President Ferdinand  Marcos Jr.

The award is an Order of diplomatic merit conferred upon individuals who have rendered  exceptional and meritorious services to the Republic of the Philippines and upon those who  have rendered conspicuous services in fostering, developing and strengthening relations  between their country and the Philippines.  

This conferment recognizes former Ambassador Alqahtani’s outstanding service in deepening  PH–KSA ties through high-level dialogues and landmark agreements in maritime safety,  education, trade and investment, energy, and sports as well as his pivotal role in supporting  peace and development in Mindanao and the Bangsamoro transition.

His swift mobilization of Saudi humanitarian aid during natural disasters and championing of  the King Salman Center’s conjoined-twins separation program further underscore his  extraordinary legacy of service, fostering amity and increased cultural exchanges between our  nations. END 

First Secretary and Consul Dean Jason N. Arriola greets Hisham Sultan Abdullah Alqahtani during the latter's arrival at the Chancery 

Hisham Sultan Abdullah Alqahtani signing the guest book at the Chancery   

Medal and pin set conferred on Hisham Sultan Abdullah Alqahtani 

Ambassador Raymond R. Balatbat pinning the medal on Hisham Sultan Abdullah Alqahtani 

Ambassador Raymond R. Balatbat bestowing the sash on Hisham Sultan Abdullah Alqahtani 

Ambassador Raymond R. Balabat and Ambassador Hisham Sultan Abdullah Alqahtani after the conferment of the Order of Sikatuna  

Ambassador Raymond R. Balatbat (3rd from the left) and Hisham Sultan Abdullah Alqahtani (3rd from  the right) with the officers of the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh, First Secretary and Consul Dean Jason N. Arriola  (2nd from the right), Second Secretary and Consul Jeanne April P. Bruneau (2nd from the left), Third Secretary  and Vice Consul Francis Ramon B. Torres (furthest right), and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Aldrick Joseph  M. Timbol (leftmost) 

For more information, visit https://www.riyadhpe.dfa.gov.ph  or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinKSA, https://twitter.com/PHLinKSA  or https://www.instagram.com/phlinksa/