Presidential Communications Office
Presidential News Desk
TOAST REMARKS
OF
PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE
DURING THE STATE BANQUET HOSTED IN HONOR OF
HIS MAJESTY SULTAN HAJI HASSANAL BOLKIAH MU’IZZADDIN WADDAULAH
SULTAN AND YAN DI-PERTUAN OF BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
DURING HIS STATE VISIT TO THE
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
[Delivered at the Rizal Hall, Malacañan Palace | 27 April 2017]
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah; colleagues in the Philippine government, distinguished guests and ladies and gentlemen.
Tonight is a most welcome and awaited reunion. Last year in Brunei Darussalam, I was humbled by the warm welcome and exceptional reception extended by His Majesty to me and my delegation.
By all accounts, the State Visit was a success.
Today here in Manila, we want it to be no less.
For the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam is a most valued friend and an ally on many fronts.
We have more than three decades of vibrant formal diplomatic relations and centuries of enduring ties at the grassroots.
We aspire and work for a greater peace, progress and prosperity for our peoples, nations, and regions.
That is the solid foundation, not just a true friendship but a meaningful brotherhood.
Allow me the singular opportunity to thank you personally on my behalf and of my nation of what you have done, Your Excellency, and what you will continue to do.
I witnessed myself the love and affection by you, for you by our people, the Filipinos living in Brunei during my visit in Bandar Seri Begawan.
They, who have experienced Your Majesty’s wisdom, kindness and benevolence directly, are the legacy of living bridges that continue to connect our nations together.
On this note, I wish you to propose a toast.
To the good heath… Kindly take hold of your glasses.
To the good health and well-being of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and the members of the Royal family, that your continued success and development of Brunei Darussalam and of its people; and to the further deepening of our two countries, may the future witness heightened engagement between our nations, our government and our people as we forge ahead with strength and perseverance in achieving our mutual aspirations.
Mabuhay!
—END—
Presidential Communications Office
Presidential News Desk
TOAST REMARKS OF
HIS MAJESTY SULTAN HAJI HASSANA
BOLKIAH MU’IZZADDIN WADDAULAH,
SULTAN AND YANG DI-PERTUAN OF
BRUNEI DARUSSALAM
DURING THE STATE BANQUET
[Delivered at Rizal Hall, Malacañan Palace |
27 April 2017]
Your Excellency, President Rodrigo Duterte. Ladies and gentlemen. It is a pleasure to be here and I thank you for the warm welcome extended to me and my delegation.
I was happy to receive you Mr. President in Brunei last year. These exchanges of visits provide an excellent opportunity to reaffirm the close friendship and goodwill between our two countries.
Mr. President, Brunei Darussalam and the Philippines share a long extending relationship.
Our people-to- people links are strong and enduring.
I’m pleased that we are enhancing our ties with greater cultural cooperation that will promote the richness and diversity of our odds in culture.
Our bonds of friendship are also reflected to the presence of 23,000 Filipino nationals working in our country.
They comprise a community making significant contribution to our socioeconomic development.
I’m pleased that our economic ties are also progressing. This will create a more conducive environment for our business, people, to network and collaborate to promote closer linkages.
It will also pave the way for cooperation in the halal and agro-based industries, which would be mutually beneficial to our people.
In the same time, I believe there is much potential for collaboration in the energy sector through the downstream and upstream activities. It would be good to further study opportunities in these areas.
Mr. President, both countries have also formed a strong partnership through our participation in the International Monitoring Team in southern Philippines.
We remain committed to working with you towards maintaining overall peace and stability in the region.
We also share your country’s concerns on the devastating effects of drugs upon society and I understand your personal resolve in combating it.
In this regard, we welcome close collaboration through the exchanges of expertise and best practices in this area.
Mr. President, regionally, we have been working closely together to fully realize ASEAN’s vision of a community.
Your country holds a special place in our nation’s journey to become a member of ASEAN.
We first joined ASEAN as an observer here in Manila back in 1981. From then on, we were convinced of ASEAN’s common desire to achieve overall peace and security in the region.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend our full support for the Philippines’ Chairmanship of ASEAN.
We look forward to working closely with you in commemorating ASEAN’s 50thanniversary and towards charting our future direction together.
Mr. President, my government and people join you in wishing you continued success and we look forward to strengthening the long sharing ties that links us in goodwill and common purposes.
Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, join me in a toast:
To the enduring friendship between Brunei Darussalam and the Republic of the Philippines.
—END—