After junketing to Libya less than a month ago, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo left Wesnesday, September 16, 2009, on a nine-day, three-country junket to Turkey, United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia. It was reported as her 74th travel since becoming president in 2001.
However, as of September 10, 2009, GMA News Research reported:
“From August 2001 to September 2009, Mrs. Arroyo was abroad for 312 days, or about 35 days per year. Since she assumed the presidency, Mrs. Arroyo embarked on 81 foreign trips, which included 111 visits and meetings in 40 countries, cities, and territories, the latest of which was her August 31 travel to Libya this year. This means that on the average, Mrs. Arroyo visited about four countries and made nine trips annually since she became president.
“Mrs. Arroyo’s foreign travels were more frequent than that of former US presidents Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, and Dwight Eisenhower. “
Meanwhile, SWS released a survey showing that 30% of adults were unemployed during the first half of 2009. — Perry Diaz
President Arroyo off today for travel No. 74
President Arroyo will embark on a three-nation swing abroad starting Wednesday as the nation grapples with rising political tension engendered by the coming national and local elections in May 2010.
The President will go on a state visit to Turkey to reinforce diplomatic and economic ties before proceeding to the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.
The latest presidential sojourn from September 16 to 24 will be Mrs. Arroyo’s 74th foreign travel since she assumed office in 2001.
Mrs. Arroyo is scheduled to fly out of the country Wednesday, the same day when the administration Lakas- Kampi-CMD party is set to announce its official standard bearer for the 2010 national elections.
Mrs. Arroyo, chairman of Lakas-Kampi-CMD party, is apparently trying to distance herself from the
party’s selection process although it is no secret her consent is sought in all party decisions.
The administration's shortlist has been narrowed down to Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and Metro Manila Development Authority man Bayani Fernando as Vice President
Noli de Castro has yet to reveal his political plans for next year. Growing sentiment among party leaders and members showed preference for Teodoro.
Presidential political adviser Gabriel Claudio said there will be no anointment by the President of her successor next year. Claudio, the party secretary general, said the party executive committee will make the choice based on a consensus among its members.
Another controversy that the traveling President will miss is the brewing word war between Senator Panfilo Lacson and former President Joseph Estrada. Lacson has broken ties with Estrada and accused him of involvement in illegal numbers game, smuggling, and other criminal activities to harass his political and business enemies. Estrada has denied Lacson’s charges.
In her visit to Turkey, Remonde said the President will lobby for support to the Philippines' bid for an observer status in the influential Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC). Mrs. Arroyo is scheduled to meet with OIC Secretary General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu to solidify the Philippines’ bid and update him on the peace progress in Mindanao.
The President earlier cancelled her visit to New York City where she was supposed to address the UN General Assembly due to conflict in her schedule.
She replaced her US itinerary with a visit to Turkey.
From Turkey, the President will travel to London to deliver a keynote address in the “Emerging Markets Summit” organized by The Economist magazine from September 17 to 18.
Remonde said the President will report the country’s resilient economic growth despite global financial crisis and promote the country as an attractive investment destination. A meeting with the Filipino community in the United Kingdom has also been arranged.
Her visit to Saudi Arabia from Sept. 21 to 23 includes meeting King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud to reaffirm close relations between the two countries as well as check the plight of overseas Filipino workers.
Deputy Presidential Spokesman Gary Olivar said the President will seek the King’s pardon for some jailed Filipino workers during her visit to the oil-rich kingdom.
Mrs. Arroyo is also expected to grace the official inauguration of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Thuwal, Rabigh, on Sept. 23. She is expected to return to Manila on September 24 or 25.
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