The President of the Republic will decorate two members of the IX Constitutional Government
On the occasion of the 48th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence, on November 28th, 2023, the President of the Republic will award the Medal of the Order of Timor-Leste, Collar Grade, to the Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing, Mariano Assanami Sabino and the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, along with three members of the National Parliament.
The Order of Timor-Leste was established to demonstrate, with prestige and dignity, Timor-Leste's recognition of those, nationals and foreigners, who in their professional or social activities, or even in a spontaneous act of heroism or altruism, have made a significant contribution to the benefit of Timor-Leste, the Timorese or Humanity. The Order of Timor-Leste recognises, among other things, the exceptional services rendered by outstanding professionals for the benefit of Timor-Leste and the Timorese.
The President of the Republic's Decree awarding these decorations emphasises that “the services rendered by our State Sovereign Bodies, and members of the National Parliament and the Government, within the scope of their functions and relations between States to promote friendship between peoples are crucial, and also contribute to peace, national stability and development in Timor-Leste”.
He also noted that “Timor-Leste has managed to overcome several challenges and achieve some successes in certain areas of development, thanks also to a series of activities carried out by our State Sovereign Body Holders, and members of the National Parliament and the Government, during their mandates”. 
Mariano Assanami Sabino was born on April 12th, 1971, in Lautém, and currently holds the position of Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing in the 9th Constitutional Government. In 1991, during his studies at the University of Brawijaya Malang in Indonesia, he joined the National Resistance of Timorese Students (RENETIL), where he held various positions, including Deputy Secretary General. He was involved in various activities of this organisation, including the embassy occupations in Jakarta in 1995 and the demonstrations in 1998. He was also a member and leader of the Indonesian-Timorese student organisation Ikatan Mahasiswa dan Pelajar Timor Timur (IMPETTU). After returning to Timor-Leste in 1999, he joined the Planning and Coordination Commission of the National Council of Timorese Resistance (CNRT) Campaign as head of the mobilisation department for the participation of all Timorese in the Referendum. In 1999, he was one of the founders and co-coordinator of the Presidium Juventude Loriko Aswa'in” (PJLA). In 2001, he became a founding member of the Democratic Party (PD). He was a member of the National Parliament in the 1st and 5th Legislatures, was a member of the 4th, 5th and 7th Constitutional Governments, and currently serves as Vice Prime Minister, Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing. 
Hermenegildo Augusto Cabral Pereira, known as Agio Pereira, was born on March 31st, 1956, in Dili, and currently holds the position of Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Spokesperson for the 9th Constitutional Government. During the years of Indonesian occupation (1975-1999), he stood out as an activist for Timor-Leste's independence in Portugal and Australia and was a member of Fretilin in Lisbon until 1979. Between 1980 and 1990, in Darwin, Australia, he led the Darwin Fretilin Committee. From 1991 to 1999, in Sydney, he was executive director of ETRA Inc, focusing on humanitarian aid and international mobilisation for Timor-Leste's National Liberation Struggle. He returned to Timor-Leste in July 1999, joining the CNRT's National Campaign Commission to prepare the Popular Consultation on August 30th of the same year. In 2000, he was elected vice-president of the National Council (Legislative), president of the Standing Committee on Budget and Finance and vice-president of the Standing Committee on Political Affairs. Between 2002 and 2007, he served as Chief of Staff to then-President Xanana Gusmão. Since 2007, he has been a member of all the Constitutional Governments and currently serves as Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
On the same occasion, members of the National Parliament Aniceto Longuinhos Guterres Lopes, Arão Noé de Jesus da Costa Amaral and David Dias Ximenes will also be honoured with the Order of Timor-Leste.
