Marcos, FL back from Brunei

PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. returned Sunday night from an overnight visit to Brunei where he and First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos attended the wedding of the son of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

The First Couple left late Saturday to join other world leaders and guests invited to the wedding of Prince Abdul Mateen and Yang Mulia Dayang Anisha Rosnah Binti Adam.

Prince Abdul Mateen is the sixth in line of succession to the Brunei throne. Yang Mulia Dayang Anisha Rosnah Binti Adam is a businesswoman who owns a fashion brand and a tourism company.

Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil yesterday said the President had no scheduled meeting on the sidelines of the wedding but “there is always the possibility of side meetings with other leaders there.”

The Presidential Communications Office said Marcos’ attendance to the royal wedding re-affirms the strength of the ties between the Philippines and Brunei.

The two countries established diplomatic relations on Jan. 1, 1984 when the Philippine consulate general in Bandar Seri Begawan was elevated to an embassy, and the Embassy of Brunei Darussalam was subsequently opened in Makati City.

Brunei is home to over 22,000 Filipino workers.

The Brunei visit is Marcos’ first to that nation and his 18th trip since becoming president.

Brunei is also the President’s country to visit this year.

Marcos is set to visit Vietnam later this month and Germany in March.

He is also expected to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Summit in Laos and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Peru later this year.