P-Noy leaves for seven-day working visit to US
President Benigno Aquino III leaves Monday night for a seven-day working visit to the United States and to address the gathering of over 150 world leaders for the 65th United Nations General Assembly and meet with U.S. President Barack Obama and leading US businessmen.
This is the first overseas travel of President Aquino since he became the Chief Executive last June and is expected to bring home economic development projects and job-generating investments for the country and strengthen ties with other nations.
One of the highlights of the President’s visit is his speech before the UN General Assembly in New York on September 24 and a meeting with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon.
Prior to the President’s UN address, he will attend the 2nd ASEAN-US Leaders’ Meeting to discuss international and regional issues and cooperation between the regional group and the world’s leading economy.
President Aquino will have an opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with President Obama as well as his counterparts in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, among them Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, Vietnamese Prime Minister Ngyuen Minh Triet and Thai Prime Minister AbhisitVejjajiva, during the ASEAN-US Leaders’ Meeting.
The Philippines is the country coordinator for the ASEAN-US Dialogue relations from 2009 to 2012, whose mandate is to broaden and deepen cooperation between and among countries of Southeast Asia and the US, and implement the plan of action to enhance partnership.
While in New York, the President will also attend the signing of the $434-million Millennium Challenge Compact Agreement between the Philippine government and the US Millennium Challenge Corporation. The funding assistance will be channeled to the Aquino Administration’s programs on poverty reduction, revenue generation and infrastructure development.
During the visit, the President will meet with World Bank president Robert Zoellick, select CEOs, top businessmen and potential investors. President Aquino will also address an economic conference organized by Citibank.
Also in the President’s schedule is a meeting with the Filipino-American community in New York and in San Francisco to personally thank them for their support and enlist their involvement in the new government’s national and economic agenda.
There are an estimated 2.84 million Filipinos living in the U.S., accounting for 34 percent of the total Filipinos overseas, according to figures from the Commission on Filipino Overseas. They contribute about 42 percent of the total remittances sent to the Philippines.
President Aquino will be accompanied by a 56-man delegation that will include only four Cabinet secretaries—Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade and Industry Gregory Domingo and Energy Secretary Rene Almendras.
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said the number of the support staff has been reduced on instruction of President Aquino in keeping with the belt-tightening measures of the new administration. Expenses for the trip are expected to reach only P25 million pesos.
The President is scheduled to return to Manila on September 28. (PCOO)
President Aquino to run country by remote control when he leaves for the United States this week
President Benigno S. Aquino III will continue to exercise his presidential duties and govern the country through “the fastest and most convenient means of communication” all throughout his trip to the United States this week, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Sunday.
In a press conference aired over dzRB Sunday afternoon, Lacierda said President Aquino had issued a memorandum to Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and members of his Cabinet detailing his instructions while he is away.
The memorandum to Ochoa states: First, the President shall continue to exercise all the functions of his office as stated in the Constitution and the law; and second, the Executive Secretary shall sign all papers that are ordinarily signed by him or under the authority of the President, Lacierda said.
“The President will continue to have authority over the Executive Branch even in his absence during his trip to the United States,” he added.
Lacierda said the memorandum also contained instructions for the members of his Cabinet, which include “attending to and deciding on matters that pertain to their respective departments.”
“On those matters that require approval of the President, in case urgent action is needed, approval shall be obtained by the fastest and most convenient means of communication,” Lacierda said.
He added that “other department matters which although are within the jurisdiction of a department are of such importance as to effect the general policies of the government, and therefore, should be the subject of consultations with the President, the Secretary concerned may communicate for such purpose with the President by the fastest and most convenient means of communication.”
On the holding of Cabinet meetings, Lacierda said the President’s memorandum allowed department secretaries to “meet as may be necessary” with Vice President JejomarBinay, or in his absence, the Executive Secretary presiding.
“All official communications to the President shall be transmitted through or by the Executive Secretary,” he added.
On the role of Binay, Lacierda said, “The Vice President shall represent the President in social functions requiring the presence of the latter and shall preside over official ceremonies, receive and return the calls of foreign dignitaries in behalf and in representation of the President and in such occasions, the Vice President shall be entitled to the honors and courtesies deemed the President of the Philippines.”
This (memorandum) will be effective when the President would have left the country until his arrival from his official trip,” Lacierda said.
President Aquino will leave on Monday to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York City this coming week.(PCOO)
