MANILA, Philippines—Speaker Prospero Nograles on Wednesday said only seven congressmen could join President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her trip to the United States for a meeting with President Barack Obama end of this month.

Nograles said he wanted members of the House of Representatives to be present in the sessions as Congress would have just reopened by then.

Sessions resume July 27, four days before Arroyo’s first time meeting with Obama in Washington.

The House leader also said that only few officials would be allowed to take part in the meeting. During the previous meeting between Arroyo and President George Bush, he said that only three or four persons were allowed to enter the room with the Philippine leader.

Reports have said close to 100 lawmakers have expressed interest to join the US trip on July 31.