MANILA, Philippines -- Malacañang officials made another effort on Saturday to squelch speculation that United States President-elect Barack Obama has not invited President Macapagal-Arroyo to his inauguration on January 20.

"There's no truth to the rumors that President-elect Obama has snubbed President Arroyo again,'' Secretary Cerge Remonde, Presidential Management Staff chief, said in a phone interview.

Quoting the US Embassy in Manila, Remonde said that no head of state was invited to the historic occasion when Obama takes his oath as the 44th President of the United States and its first African-American leader.

"We're not seeking nor waiting for an invitation,'' he said on the phone. "As a matter of policy, Obama has not invited heads of state to his inauguration,'' traditionally an all-American affair.

Ambassador Bayani Mangibin, spokesperson of the Department of Foreign Affairs, confirmed this, and said the ambassadors of different countries were instead invited to the inauguration.

"The ambassadors are the alter-egos of the presidents after all,'' he said on the phone. In the country's case, Philippine Ambassador to Washington Willy Gaa will represent Arroyo.

Filipino singing sensation Charice Pempengco will be performing at the pre-inaugural party this Sunday at the Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel.

Arroyo has been perceived to be assiduously seeking to meet with Obama, especially after his stunning victory over Senator John McCain.

In a whirlwind visit to the US in early November 2008, the President made a brief stopover in Chicago, Obama's hometown, en route to the United Nations in New York, but failed to meet him.

After his victory, Arroyo tried to call Obama to congratulate him but failed to reach him. Obama quickly returned the calls of nine world leaders, but not Arroyo's. Obama eventually returned her call after she arrived from the US.

Also in June 2008, Arroyo tried to meet with Obama, but failed. Obama instead wrote her a letter, indicating they could cooperate on a number of issues such as defense reform, climate change, food security, and poverty reduction.