ASEAN HEADLINE | Philippines president begins two-day visit
ABOVE & BELOW: His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam with Philippines President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr and spouse First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos; and His Majesty and the Philippines president inspect the guard of honour mounted by the Royal Brunei Armed Forces. PHOTO: MUIZ MATDANI..
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam received in audience Philippines President Ferdinand R Marcos Jr and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos yesterday.
Prior to this, His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, as personal representative of His Majesty, and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman arrived at Istana Edinburgh to welcome the Philippines president and the first lady, and later proceeded together with the president and the first lady to Istana Nurul Iman.
On the grounds of Istana Nurul Iman, Their Majesties welcomed the arrival of the Philippines president and the first lady. Their Majesties, together with the president and the first lady, then received the salute of honour on a special dais, accompanied with the national anthems of both countries and a 21-gun salute. The two leaders then inspected the guard of honour mounted by members of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
The state welcoming ceremony continued with the Philippines president and the first lady being introduced to members of the royal family; Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran-Pengiran Cheteria; Special Advisor to His Majesty; Cabinet ministers; members of the Privy Council; deputy ministers; the Commissioner of Police of the Royal Brunei Police Force; Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces; foreign envoys in Brunei Darussalam; members of the Legislative Council; and permanent secretaries at the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their Majesties were then introduced to the members of the delegation of the Philippines president.
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AUDIENCE CEREMONY
Following the state welcoming ceremony, Their Majesties proceeded together with the Philippines president and first lady to Cheradi Laila Kenchana for an audience ceremony.
Present at the ceremony were members of the royal family, as well as the Philippines delegation.
MEETING BETWEEN HIS MAJESTY AND THE PHILIPPINES PRESIDENT
Next, His Majesty held a meeting with the Philippines president at Cheradi Laila Kenchana.
Shortly after, His Majesty and the president proceeded to a bilateral meeting held in Baitul Mesyuarah, in which His Majesty delivered a titah welcoming the Philippines president on his first state visit to the Sultanate, which reflects the continued long-standing friendship, particularly as the countries celebrate the 40th year of diplomatic relations.
In ensuring lasting peace and stability in Mindanao, His Majesty reaffirmed Brunei Darussalam’s continued support for the Philippines government through the Independent Decommissioning Body (IDB) with Norway and Türkiye.
During the bilateral meeting, His Majesty and the Philippines president discussed the close and excellent cooperation in trade, defence, education, health and people-to-people exchanges. Among others, His Majesty also welcomed the partnership between Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) and Far Eastern University in establishing the JPMC College of Health Sciences in Brunei Darussalam in 2022, and appreciated the contributions of Philippines nationals across various sectors in Brunei Darussalam’s socio-economic development.
Both leaders were pleased with the signing of several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) during the state visit, including in the fields of maritime, tourism and agriculture, which will foster deeper cooperation and understanding between the two countries. In addition, the leaders exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest including the importance of upholding international law, developments in Myanmar, Palestine-Israel and the South China Sea.
Touching on ASEAN, His Majesty highlighted the importance of ensuring the relevance of ASEAN centrality in maintaining sustainable peace and security in the region. In this regard, the Philippines’ leadership in coordinating the ASEAN-EU dialogue relations for the past three years is greatly appreciated. His Majesty also expressed appreciation on the recent signing of the establishment agreement for the ASEAN Centre for Climate Change by the Philippines and looked forward to its ratification and entry into force.
Prior to this, the Philippines president in his opening remarks expressed gratitude for the affinity between the two nations and the growth in bilateral relations shaped by His Majesty and former and late Philippines president Marcos Sr.
The president then emphasised that Brunei Darussalam and the Philippines have always had excellent cooperation including in times of crisis, adding that this visit is to honour 40 years of friendship that has been nurtured by mutual trust and understanding. He also looked forward to the signing of MoUs during the state visit to further deepen the existing friendship and bilateral relations.
SIGNING CEREMONY OF MOU AND EXCHANGE OF DOCUMENT
Following the bilateral meeting, His Majesty and the Philippines president witnessed the signing ceremony of three MoUs and an exchange of one document between His Majesty’s Government and the Philippines Government:
MoU on maritime cooperation
Signing on behalf of His Majesty’s Government was Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof, while the Philippines’ Government was represented by Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs Enrique A Manalo.
MoU on recognition of the certificates issued under the provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978 as amended
Signing on behalf of His Majesty’s Government was Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Pengiran Dato Seri Setia Shamhary bin Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mustapha while the Philippines government was represented by Secretary of the Department of Transportation Jaime J Bautista.
MoU on tourism cooperation
Signing on behalf of His Majesty’s Government was Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf bin Haji Metussin while the Philippines government was represented by Secretary of the Department of Tourism Maria Esperanza Christina Frasco.
The two leaders witnessed the exchange of a letter of intent to pursue further agricultural cooperation between Minister of Primary Resources and Tourism Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Abdul Manaf, representing His Majesty’s Government and Secretary of the Department of
Agriculture Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr, representing the Philippines government.
Also present to witness the signings and exchange of document was His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah.
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