Aquino back in PH from Bali forum

President Benigno Aquino III. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III returned to the country Friday night from Bali, Indonesia where he co-chaired a two-day forum with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Aquino arrived past 9 p.m. aboard Philippine Airlines Flight PR 001 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and was met by some members of his Cabinet.

Aquino and Yudhoyono, who is to step down from office in a few days, led the annual Bali Democracy Forum at the Bali International Convention Center to foster dialogue-based cooperation through experiences and best democratic practices in the Asia-Pacific region. It is now in its seventh year.

Speaking before international leaders, Aquino praised Yudhoyono for his leadership in the settlement of maritime disputes of the two neighbors against a backdrop of the Philippines’ territorial dispute with China over parts of the South China Sea.

“With his assuring leadership, our two nations were able to resolve in an amicable manner the issue concerning our maritime boundaries in the Mindanao Sea and the Celebes Sea, thus moving our nations forward with an even deeper trust in each other,” Aquino said.

Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and Brunei Darussalam’s Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah also delivered speeches at the forum.

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