Arroyo flies to the US to meet with Obama

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo departed past noon Wednesday for a week-long trip to the United States, in what Sen. Rodolfo Biazon suspects to be a “grilling" by US President Barack Obama. In a brief departure speech at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City, Mrs. Arroyo said she and Obama will be talking about a wide range of issues, including climate change and the global economic recession. A radio report said the meeting will also take up terrorism in relation to the so-called Mindanao conflict. President Arroyo earlier ordered a suspension of military offensives against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in the southern Philippines to pave the way for the resumption of peace talks. "We will discuss how best to advance the peace process in Mindanao," said Mrs. Arroyo, adding that her administration is also working on the resumption of peace talks with another group, the communist-led National Democratic Front. President Arroyo said she would also personally express her appreciation to the US president for approving the long-overdue benefit for Filipino World War II veterans. Included in the $787-billion stimulus program signed by Obama last February, the benefits provide a tax-free, one-time $9,000 (roughly P430,000) non-service connected compensation for veterans who are not US citizens, and $15,000 (roughly P717,000) for veterans who are US citizens. After visiting Obama, Mrs. Arroyo will proceed to New York, Chicago, and Guam. She will be meeting with various US officials, prospective investors, and members of the Filipino community in the US. President Arroyo and her entourage are expected to be back in the Philippines on August 5. Sending off Mrs. Arroyo were Vice President Noli de Castro, National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa and a number of military officials. Grilling While Malacañang officials may consider the meeting as a fitting finale for Mrs. Arroyo, whose term will end 11 months from now, Biazon said there are signs that the White House invitation was an "unfriendly act." The lawmaker said Mrs. Arroyo was more like "summoned" than invited. Biazon, who chairs the Senate committee on national defense and security, said contrary to what the Palace had been saying, Mrs. Arroyo could have been invited "to explain herself" regarding persistent charges of political killings, enforced disappearances, and massive corruption under her administration. Human rights advocates in the United States have been lobbying with the White House for President Obama to raise the human rights in her meeting with President Arroyo. Accompanying Mrs. Arroyo in her one-week trip are First Gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike" Arroyo, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, Solicitor General Agnes Devanadera, and Trade Secretary Peter Favila. Biazon was quoted in a radio report as saying that the inclusion of a foreign affairs official in the person of Romulo and a judicial official in the person of Devanadera proves that Mrs. Arroyo was going to the US to defend herself before Obama. The President's entourage boarded a Philippine Airlines commercial flight PR-116. Remonde did not give reporters a complete list of the lawmakers and other government officials coming along for the US trip. But a radio report said legislators seen boarding a plane Monday included Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, Quezon City Rep. Mary Ann Susano, and Pangasinan Rep. Ma. Rachel Arenas. Also coming along with Mrs. Arroyo were Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando and his wife, Marikina City Mayor Marides Fernando. - Mark Merueñas, GMANews.TV