03 June 2016 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Jose Rene D. Almendras successfully undertook an official introductory visit to Brunei Darussalam from May 29 to 30.
During said visit, Secretary Almendras had an audience with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade at the Istana Nurul Iman.
Secretary Almendras also met with Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Dewa Dato Seri Setia Lim Jock Seng, Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr.) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy and Industry at the PMO.
Discussed during the Secretary’s audience with the Sultan and meeting with the two Ministers included general bilateral relations between the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam, as well as regional and international developments.
Secretary Almendras arrived in Bandar Seri Begawan on May 29 and was welcomed by officials from the Philippine Embassy, headed by Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Meynardo LB. Montealegre. The Secretary was joined by Assistant Secretary Ma. Hellen M. Barber-dela Vega of the Office of ASEAN Affairs; Mr. Ambrosio Brian F. Enciso III, Director of the Southeast Asia I Division of the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs; and Mr. George Benedict Pineda, Protocol Officer to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
Prior to this official visit, Secretary Almendras visited Brunei Darussalam, in his capacity as then Cabinet Secretary,on August 14, 2014 to attend the 68th birthday celebration of His Majesty the Sultan as President Benigno S. Aquino III’s representative, and in 2013 to attend the 22nd and 23rd ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, respectively, as member of President Aquino’s high-level delegation. END
