Manila - President Benigno S. Aquino III is leaving today to attend the official presentation of the daughter of His Royal Highness, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah, and her groom, Pengiran Haji Muhammad Ruzaini, to the Royal Court of the Sultanate of Brunei. It will be President Aquino's second trip to Brunei Darussalam since his working visit to the Sultanate on June 1-2, 2011. The Philippines and Brunei are both members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Princess Hafizah exchanged vows with Haji Ruzaini on September 20, 2012 at the Throne Hall of Istana Nurul Imam Palace in Brunei. The newly wed will be officially presented to the Royal Court on September 23, 2012 banquet, to be hosted by Sultan Bolkiah. Princess Hafizah is the fifth child of the Sultan of Brunei and Queen Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha. Both the bride and groom work in the Brunei government - Princess Hafizah, 32, is an officer in the Finance Ministry, and Haji Ruzaini, 29, a civil servant in the Prime Minister's office. Leaders from Southeast Asia and other countries as well as foreign royalties and dignitaries and guests are expected to attend the presentation ceremony, the climax of a week-long wedding-related activities.

While in Brunei, President Aquino will be engaging in what Malacañang described as "informal diplomacy" to further strengthen bilateral and diplomatic ties with Brunei and other members of the ASEAN. Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam started in 1984. The two countries are close partners in the ASEAN and in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area, a regional initiative to increase investments and tourism in participating areas through cross border cooperation.

The President is expected to meet with Brunei business leaders who have expressed interest to invest in the Philippines. He will look at opportunities for the country to enter Brunei's halal food industry. He will meet with members of the Filipino community and Filipino workers working in Brunei. There are over 18,000 overseas Filipino workers in the Sultanate. In his state visit last year, President Aquino signed several agreements related to shipping, sports, trade, tourism, food security, and agriculture.

We join the nation to pray for President Benigno S. Aquino III and the Members of his Delegation bon voyage on their trip to the Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam and wish them the best and success in all endeavors. MABUHAY!

--Courtesy of Manila Bulletin

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