Brunei Sultan Arrives Manila For A Busy Three-Day Schedule

Philippine Vice President Teofisto Guingona (left) welcomes His Majesty Sultan of Brunei

His Majesty greeted by Army officials

Manila - Brunei Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and his delegation arrived at the Villamor Airbase in Pasay City yesterday for a three-day state visit, a report in the Manila Bulletin said.

His state visit officially starts today when he meets with President Arroyo in Malacañang. The Brunei ruler's visit is upon the invitation of President Arroyo, who visited Brunei in August 2001.

The Philippine President will receive Sultan Bolkiah and members of his official delegation in Malacañang at 9:25 a.m. after His Majesty, accompanied by some government officials, lays wreath in honor of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal at the Rizal Park, Manila

The two leaders are expected to discuss potential cooperation on trade and investments and tourism, as well as to promote other bilateral concerns with the oil-rich state.

Also among the topics of discussion is the revival of the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) designed to harness the resources and development potential of southern Philippines and the northern regions of their neighbouring ASEAN countries as an engine of economic growth.

After his meeting with President Arroyo, the Sultan will be honoured by the University of the Philippines in Quezon City which will confer on him an honorary doctorate. Later in the afternoon, he will meet with Senate President Franklin Drilon and House Speaker Jose de Venecia at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati City.

On Monday night, the President will host a state dinner for the Sultan and his party in Malacañang.

On Tuesday, the Sultan will motor to Baguio City to visit the Philippine Military Academy, the country’s premier military school, where he will sign the “Pardon of Punishment” and receive a special memento for his attendance. He returns to Brunei on Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile Radio Television Brunei broadcast that His Majesty Sultan of Brunei arrived Sunday afternoon in Manila at a start of a three-day official state visit to the Philippines.

The special aircraft of the Brunei ruler landed at the Villamor Airbase in Bulwagang Katatagan in Manila at about 4.10pm.

The Philippine Vice President Mr Teofisto Guingona and Brunei's Ambassador to the Philippines Dayang Hajah Maimuna greeted his Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah upon arrival.

Upon arrival, His Majesty was received with a planeside military honour mounted by the personnel Philippine Air Force.

This is the second state visit to the Philippines by the Brunei ruler. The first was in 1991.

His Majesty then proceeded to a leading hotel in the heart of Manila.

Upon arrival at the hotel, Mr Richard Riley, the General Manager of the hotel, welcomed His Majesty.

During the course of the state visit, His Majesty will hold a four-eye meeting with Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and a visit to the Philippine Military Academy.

Meanwhile, present to bid farewell at the Brunei International Airport to His Majesty was His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah.

Brunei and Philippines enjoys cordial and close relations. The relationship is upheld by the understanding of both nations in Asean and also cooperation in various areas.

The Brunei Monarch's state visit to the Philippines will further strengthen the long existing relationship.

Also ABS-CBN, a Philippines TV station, on its website adds that the University of the Philippines will confer on His Majesty Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, an honorary Doctor of Laws degree Monday at 10:50 a.m. at the STTC Auditorium of Nismed, UP Diliman, Quezon City.

The conferment is part of the itinerary of His Majesty's state visit.

His Majesty will receive the UP's highest academic honours for fostering historically friendly and mutually beneficial relations with the Philippines and its people through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asia Growth Area, the Organization of Islamic Conference and other fora where governments and people interact.

He is also being honoured for his leadership in sustaining peace and development in his country. The Sultan is also being cited for providing a safe environment for Filipinos working in Brunei and for securing for his people beneficial infrastructure, housing, health-care and educational programs.

He became Crown Prince in 1961 and ascended the throne in 1967 following the voluntary abdication of his father, al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa'adul Khairi Waddien. He was crowned as the 29th sultan of Brunei in 1968.

Besides being the sultan and ruler, His Majesty is concurrently the prime minister, defense minister, finance minister, head of the official religion (Islam) of Brunei Darussalam and the chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam.

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