Prior to Spanish and British colonization, the Sultanate of Brunei and the Kingdom of Maynila and Sultanate of Sulu as well as other sultanates in the Philippines have extensive trading and political relations. The Sultanate of Sulu was once a satellite state of Brunei, later becoming independent after the Sultan of Sulu helped the Sultan of Brunei destroy a growing civil war movement and a rebellion in Brunei. Half of Sabah was given as a gift to Sulu by Brunei after the aid given to them. The island group of Palawan was also formerly part of the Empire of Brunei, but was also given to Sulu by Brunei. Muslim populations in southern Palawan are the descendants of the people of the Sultanate of Sulu who once controlled the island group. Brunei once subjugated the Kingdom of Maynila, turning it into the first and only Islamic state in the history of Luzon island. Later, the Spanish Empire subjugated the Philippines, and Brunei's influence to Manila disintegrated. Sulu, being waned by Spain, continued to have good relations with Brunei, until British troops subjugated Brunei and turned it into a colony. in the Philippines was funded by Brunei. Upon Brunei's independence from the United Kingdom on 1 January 1984, the Philippines established full diplomatic relations with Brunei. The Philippines' Consulate-General in Bandar Seri Begawan, set up on 10 August 1983 to accommodate the needs of Overseas Filipino Workers in the sultanate, was upgraded into embassy status. Likewise, Brunei's Consulate-General in Makati, founded in November 1983, was also upgraded to embassy status. Brunei has supported various developments in the Philippines, including the building of the biggest mosque in the country located in Cotabato City.
State visits
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III, made a state visit to Brunei on 1–2 June 2011 and visited the country again on 23 September 2012 to attend the royal wedding of Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah. SultanHassanal Bolkiah of Brunei made a state visit on 15–16 April 2013 to the Philippines to discuss Brunei's chairmanship in the ASEAN summit. The sultan thanked President Aquino for the Philippines' support for his country's ASEAN chairmanship. The South China Sea dispute was also on agenda. The Philippines urged Brunei as chair, to prioritise on the conclusion of a code of conduct regarding the issue. Brunei expressed support for the creation of a binding conduct among claimants in the regional dispute and has vowed to pursue the said conduct. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte had his first ever state visit in Brunei before going to the ASEAN General Assembly in Laos on September 2016. The visit shall symbolize the strong ties between the two allied nations. Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei returned to the Philippines on 26–29 April 2017 for a state visit and to attend the 30th ASEAN Summit, which the Philippines chaired. The Sultan met with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to discuss issues of mutual concern regarding peace and security.
Filipinos in Brunei
In 1983, there were approximately 8,000 Filipinos working in Brunei, with some of them involved in the construction of the Istana Nurul Iman and other projects of the Bruneian government. As of 2013, there are more than 20,000 Filipinos working in Brunei.
Issues
Brunei beauties
In 1993, in a diplomatic affair dubbed as the Brunei beauties, Senator Ernesto Maceda claimed that there were illegal recruitment of Filipinas in Brunei as prostitutes and entertainers. Prince Jefri, the brother of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah were among those linked to the scandal. The Philippine government downplayed the issue and describe it as merely a "Senate affair" to safeguard relations between Brunei and the Philippines.
