MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. left Saturday evening for Brunei Darussalam after he was invited by Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, to attend the Royal Wedding of his son, the Royal Prince of Brunei, Prince Abdul Mateen and Yang Mulia Dayang Anisha Rosnah Binti Adam.

The President, who is expected to join other heads of state in the wedding, will be back on Sunday.

Prince Abdul Mateen is the 6th in line of succession to the Bruneian throne while Yang Mulia Dayang Anisha Rosnah Binti Adam is a businesswoman who owns a fashion brand and a tourism company.

The President’s attendance to the royal wedding re-affirms the strength of the bilateral ties between the Philippines and Brunei.

Diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Brunei were established on January 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 overseas Filipino workers. (PND)