NEW YORK CITY (VIA PLDT) -- DEMOCRATIC presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama sent President Macapagal-Arroyo a letter of apology for being unable to meet with her because of his busy schedule.

?I am sorry I will not be in Washington, and therefore will be unable to meet with you in person. I look forward to meeting you in the future, and to working with you to advance the critical partnership between our nations. Please enjoy your visit this week,? Obama said in a ?Dear President Arroyo? letter.

The letter was dated June 24, two days before their expected meeting. Instead, Obama phoned Ms Arroyo in New York.

From New York, President Arroyo flew back to Washington D.C. on Saturday to meet with Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, Obama?s rival, before flying back to the Philippines.

In the letter, Obama offered his condolences to the victims of Typhoon ?Frank.?

?I know I speak for all Americans in saying that the United States stands ready to provide needed assistance, and will help you care for your citizens as you recover from this catastrophic storm.?

Obama, a senator from Illinois and the first African-American to run for President of the US, said the Philippines and the US ?share a long history and an alliance that has bound us together for decades.?

Common struggle

?This partnership has not been without controversy at times, but together we fought against fascism in World War II and stood up successfully against a common adversary during the Cold War; today we find ourselves once again shoulder to shoulder in a common struggle against terrorism and extremism,? Obama said in his letter.

He said the two countries also shared a common faith in democracy and an interest in the issues of climate change, food security, poverty reduction, the future of Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), human rights in Burma (Myanmar), and defense reform.

?We should work closely together to forge a partnership that makes progress on these 21st century challenges.?

Special bond

Obama continued: ?Because of our shared history and the Philippines? role as Asia?s first democracy, the Philippines has a special bond with the United States.?

?Your visit here this week reminds us of that friendship?a bond built on the many shared successes of the past, and the foundation of common values and common interests that we continue to share. This bond is enriched by the vibrant and successful Filipino-American community that has made such enormous contributions to our country,? he said.

Husband?s birthday

President Arroyo, meanwhile, took time off from her busy schedule on Friday to attend Mass and join her family for a private breakfast to mark her husband Jose Miguel Arroyo?s 62nd birthday.

Government radio dzRB quoted her congressman-son Dato as saying the occasion was ?simple and private.?

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Saturday the President would not be watching Filipino world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao take on Mexican-American David Diaz in Las Vegas over the weekend. But Ermita said he had no information if the President?s husband and children would be staying behind to watch the world title bout.

Ermita said Ms Arroyo will arrive in Manila as scheduled on Monday and will proceed to Baler, Aurora, to take part in activities in connection with Filipino-Spanish Friendship Day. Madrid has sent a planeload of relief goods for victims of Frank. With a report by Norman Bordadora