President Rodrigo Duterte and His Majesty, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, witnessed the signing of four agreements Thursday evening (early Friday morning Manila time) at the Sakhir Palace in Manama, Bahrain that will further strengthen the very close and warm relations of the two countries.
Inked in the presence of President Duterte and King Hamad were:
* The establishment of the High Joint Commission, which will be the forum and the mechanism where the entire range of relationships between the two countries will be discussed;
* Amendments to the double taxation earlier signed between the Philippines and Bahrain;
* An air services agreements; and
* A Memorandum of Understanding between the Foreign Service Institute of the Philippines and the Diplomatic Institute of the Bahrain Foreign Ministry.
According to Philippine Ambassador to Bahrain Alfonso Ver, the signing of these agreements reaffirms the President Duterte administration’s support of and our commitment for the protection of the rights and welfare of overseas Filipino workers.
King Hamad flew from Saudi Arabia to personally welcome the visiting Philippine President in a red carpet ceremony at the Palace prior to the signing of the agreements.
President Duterte was accompanied by several Cabinet members led by acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano and his wife Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano.
Surprisingly, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos and former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino were likewise present.
A bilateral meeting between President Duterte and King Hamad followed the signing of the agreements.
An official dinner was also hosted by the King of Bahrain in honor of the visiting head of state.
On Friday (Saturday, Manila time), the President is scheduled to meet with His Royal Highness Salman Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Deputy King, Crown Prince of Bahrain at the Bahrain International Circuit.
He will also meet with the Bahrain business leaders at the Capital Club in Harbour Tower.
The President’s visit will be capped by the meet-and-greet interaction with the Filipino community which will be held at the Khalifa Sports City.
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