Obama sends delegation to Aquino-Binay inauguration
MANILA, Philippines – US President Barack Obama will send a delegation to Manila for the inauguration of the President- and Vice president-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Jejomar Binay on Wednesday.
Obama announced on June 25 that he chose US Trade Representative Ron Kirk to head the delegation. Kirk is also a member of Obama’s Cabinet.
US Ambassador to Manila Harry Thomas Jr. was pleased that Obama selected Kirk to lead the delegation.
“I am delighted that President Obama personally chose Ambassador Kirk to lead the US delegation to the inauguration.
“This signals the US government's commitment to increasing trade opportunities with the Philippines. We look forward to working with the new government on these and many other issues,” Thomas said.
Earlier reports stated that 3 East Asian leaders have confirmed their attendance at Aquino and Binay’s inauguration on June 30.
They are Thai Prime Minister Aphisit Vejjajiva, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, and East Timor President Jose Ramos Horta.
Last week, Malacañang declared June 30, the day of Aquino’s inauguration, as a special non-working holiday.
The inauguration has caught the attention of the international media who have applied for media accreditation to cover the event. These include the British Broadcasting Corporation or the BBC, CNN, The New York Times and even National Geographic and popular bloggers. (Related story: Aquino fairy tale piques global interest in RP)
Presidential Management Staff head Elena Bautista-Horn said P10 million has been allotted for the inauguration. The organizers of the inauguration added there are enough facilities to ensure the entire world would be able to witness the historic event. (Related story: Palace sets aside P10M for Aquino inauguration)
Aquino, son of the late democracy icons President Corazon Aquino and Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., won the May 10, 2010 elections to serve as the 15th President of the Philippines.
His Vice-president-elect, meanwhile, is the former mayor of Makati City.
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@muhaboy
How can foreign investment come flooding into the country to establish factories and heavy industries when the Filipino-first protectionist provisions of the 1987 constitution (articles 12 & 16) have not been amended? We need good-paying jobs for ordinary Pinoys to prevent them from becoming OFWs. Kailangan kopyahin ang China - liberalize foreign ownership of businesses in this country to attract foreign investment and streamline the business permit process to establish new businesses quickly. Brain drain of OFWs is not sustainable enterprise model. We lose the very people we need to revitalize the economy. Ang nakikinabang lang dito ay ang 134 ruling elite families who continue to build mega-malls so left-behind families of OFWs can spend their dollars.
@fleurdelis10831176
P10 mil is $218,000....Sooooo..... You probably owe this much in your endeavor of living your life beyond your means.
10 MILLION PESOS
What??? 10 MILLION PESOS just for the inauguration? Is this the kind of government many chose to be? Pity on you! Tsk..tsk..
I Hope Good Relations of US
I Hope Good Relations of US and Philippines will result to more trades and jobs. We need it so badly because we are facing increase in unemployment.
Aquino has to do a lot of tough jobs because of the governments huge debts and budget deficit.
We should support Aquino administration so our country can move on. Binay should work whatever is offered to him. There is nothing wrong with roxas inside Aquino's circle of advisers because roxas is a good person he is intelligent and has accomplished a lot in public service and private practice. And they are good friends, they trust each other.
Obama is just afraid to get
Obama is just afraid to get ambushed here in the Philippines that's why he is sending someone else. If Gloria had lowered the crime rate, Obama might be more than willing to visit us and see the inauguration.