President Arroyo defended her government’s human rights record during her meeting with US President Obama in Washington D.C.

In an interview with ABS-CBN North America News Bureau chief Ging Reyes, US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney said the topic of human rights was one of those that were discussed.

"Topics discussed included of course our mutual respect for human rights and the importance, you know, it's a shared value--human rights, democracy, transparency--and so those were discussed in the various meetings that I was in,” said Kenney.

Human rights activists were disappointed that Obama did not mention allegations of human rights violations by the Arroyo government.

Press Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said it was Arroyo herself who brought the issue up with Obama. She defended herself against charges of human rights abuses.

“President Obama never mentioned anything at all about the human rights issues in the Philippines.  But while Pres. Obama had not asked Pres. Arroyo about it, but in explaining the goings-on in the Philippines, Pres. Arroyo mentioned to Pres. Obama my critics, she said, would throw charges against my administration especially on alleged violations of human rights and all that they can do is come out publicly and support it with innuendos,” explained Ermita.

Arroyo also met with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton before she left Washington D.C. However, Clinton did not reveal much.

“We had a very good meeting talking about all of the work we are going to do together. I'm very proud of the positive, long relationship that the United States has with the Philippines and I'm going to work to make it even stronger and better,” Clinton said.
 
A Malacanang source said Clinton did not want footage to be taken of her meeting with Arroyo and no reason was given.

Meanwhile, the upcoming Philippine election was also discussed during the two presidents’ 45-minute meeting at the Oval Office.

Kenney said President Obama hinted that Arroyo should make sure the elections push through next year.

“Exactly as I said, he mentioned the Philippines is one of Asia's oldest democracies and that he hoped that your upcoming elections would be really in that tradition,” said Kenney who was present during the meeting.

American officials are already assuming Arroyo will step down saying she should focus on vital global and domestic issues before she leaves office.  

"President Arroyo mentioned that the things that she still has to do moving towards the end of her term in 2010. It is another way of saying she expects to come down come 2010,” said Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita. With Balitang America