MANILA, Philippines—The initial draft is ready, but Malacañang Monday said there was no need for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to justify her foreign trips when she delivers her final State of the Nation Address (SONA) next month.
Much of the explaining came from her six spokespersons and in newspaper advertisements.
The Palace defended the President’s latest four-nation swing through Japan, Colombia, Brazil and Hong Kong, saying it netted over $6 billion in investments, development assistance and jobs.
A full-page ad with the head, “Miles for Progress,” appeared in newspapers Monday, detailing the benefits from the Ms Arroyo’s foreign trips.
The print ads had been appearing since last week when critics took notice of the President’s frequent foreign travels. Sen. Francis Escudero said the government had spent at least P3 billion on at least 50 trips made by Ms Arroyo since 2001.
Deputy spokesperson Lorelei Fajardo said Monday the figures being floated by critics on the President’s travel expenses were “exaggerated.” But she did not disclose how much had been spent on the trips.
Meanwhile, former President Fidel V. Ramos has refused to join the debate on the alleged expensive foreign trips of Ms Arroyo.
“I don’t like to make comparisons between my trips [when I was president] and hers,” Ramos told reporters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) presidential lounge, while waiting for his flight to Canada where he will attend several Gawad Kalinga activities.
A foreign trip’s success “would be judged by its results,” he said, adding: “The benefits could be long-term and short-term ... and these could be economic or diplomatic.”
These benefits include attracting foreign investments, improving the Philippines’ image overseas, boosting bilateral ties, and reaching out to Filipino communities abroad.
Ramos stressed that he was not running for any post in 2010, following reports that Ms Arroyo was planning to run for Congress after her presidential term expires.
“I’ve already been there. I don’t need that,” he said, adding that he was content to be a private citizen and statesman who continues to serve the Filipinos.
Malacañang should give an accounting of actual investments, development assistance and jobs generated by President Arroyo’s foreign travels since 2001, United Opposition (UNO) president Jejomar Binay said Monday.
“Which of these commitments and pledges of development assistance were fulfilled? How many jobs were actually generated? How many Filipinos were actually employed in the countries she visited?” said Binay, who is also Makati City mayor.
He noted that in her 2007 visit to China, Malacañang was quick to announce that Ms Arroyo’s 12-hour trip netted investments totaling nearly $1 billion.
It was also there that the President witnessed the signing of the $329-million national broadband deal with ZTE Corp. With a report from Gil Cabacungan
