Secretary Blas F. Ople embarked on an Official Visit to Brunei Darussalam on 20 – 22 January 2003, as part of the tradition for new Secretaries of Foreign Affairs to make introductory calls on their counterparts in the ASEAN region. Secretary Ople's itinerary in Brunei included royal audiences with His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan and Yand Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, the Foreign Minister. H.R.H. Prince Mohamed Bolkiah hosted a dinner in honor of Secretary Ople and his party at the Balai Penghadapan on 20 January 2003.

During Secretary Ople's audience with His Majesty at the Istana Nurul Iman, His Majesty reiterated Brunei's appreciation for the contributions of the Filipino people to Brunei's economy and society. His Majesty also said that he was looking forward to his State Visit to the Philippines on 26-29 January 2003. In his discussions with His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed, Secretary Ople committed to the Philippines' hosting of the inaugural meeting of the Philippine-Brunei Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation in Manila within the first quarter of the year.

Prince Mohamed also conveyed to Secretary Ople the possibility of Brunei's joining the trilateral Agreement on Information Exchange and Communication Procedures to Counter Terrorism.

As part of the activities for his Official Visit, Secretary Ople formally inaugurated the new Embassy of the Philippines Chancery in the afternoon of 21 January, where he also had the opportunity to meet about 300 members of the Filipino community.

A highlight of the affair was the presentation of the Outstanding Performance in Labor and Employment (OPLE) Recognition Awards to eleven reputable Brunei/Filipino-based companies with proven track records in promoting the interests, protecting the welfare and enhancing the capabilities and skills of their Filipino employees/workers, as well as four Filipino and foreign individuals who have contributed immensely in helping the members of the Filipino community in Brunei and the Filipino people in general.

Other activities at the inauguration were the tree planting at the Chancery grounds, the cutting of the ribbon, the reception with the Filipino community and an interview with the Radio Television Brunei. In her speech, Ambassador Virginia H. Benavidez pointed to the recent changes in the Philippine Embassy in Brunei which were in keeping with and in fulfillment of Secretary Ople's vision of a world-class Foreign Service.

These are the transfer to a more presentable, secured and spacious new Chancery, the launching of two 24-hour hotlines on consular and labor matters, the resumption of Saturday half-day operations and the issuance of consular documents while-you-wait. These efforts were lauded by Secretary Ople in his remarks, wherein he noted how fortunate and privileged the Filipino community is in Brunei. Ambassador Benavidez hosted a dinner in honor of Secretary Ople and the members of his delegation at the "Ang Bahay", the Philippine Embassy Residence on 21 January 2003.

The Philippine Embassy officers and staff and their respective spouses and several members of the Filipino community in Brunei were also invited to meet and dine with Secretary Ople.

Secretary Ople was accompanied in this trip by Assistant secretary Antonio V. Rodriguez of the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs, Ms. Ma. Susana V. Ople, Ms. Milagros Cruz and Mr. Reynaldo Santos.

They were met at the Brunei International Airport by Pehin Dato Haji Mohd. Ali bin Haji Mohd. Daud, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Pengiran Dato Haji Osman bin Pengiran Haji Patra, Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs. While in Brunei, they stayed at the Empire Hotel and Country Club, the country's six-star hotel, as guests of His Majesty's Government.