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CANBERRA, Australia (MindaNews/24 October)—Australia’s Governor-General, Ms Quentin Bryce AC CVO, formally welcomed Philippine President Benigno Simeon Aquino III at 11:15 this morning (8am in the Philippines), at the Government House in Yarralumla here.
Aquino arrived with about ninety others in the official delegation, for his three-day State Visit to Australia, upon the Governor-General’s invitation.
Bryce, the Queen of England’s representative to Australia, hosted the ceremonial welcome that included a traditional 21-gun salute and inspection of the Australian Federation Guard and Band. The 11:15am salute was from Weston Park by the Australian Defence Force personnel.
While in Canberra, Aquino was scheduled to visit this afternoon the Parliament House to meet anew Prime Minister Julia Gillard and members of the Australian legislative body.
Filipino-Australians within the Australian Capital Territory were in the vicinity to welcome Aquino.
Aquino’s delegation included Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and other cabinet officials. They will all be ushered from the capital city to Sydney tomorrow by Philippine Ambassador to Australia, Belen Anota.
In Sydney, the President is set to meet members of the Asia Society and the Philippine-Australian Business Council. (Frencie Carreon/MindaNews contributor)