Arroyo in Baguio, security at The Mansion tightened

President Gloria Arroyo and members of the First Family arrived in Baguio City Saturday afternoon for her annual Christmas vacation and for a Cabinet meeting this coming week. Radio dwIZ reported local city officials led by Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. and Rep. Mauricio Domogan welcomed Mrs. Arroyo upon her arrival. Security was tightened at The Mansion where Mrs. Arroyo and her family proceeded. Arroyo will preside a Cabinet meeting this coming Tuesday in Baguio City. Cabinet Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the meeting is expected to start at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, and last until about 2 p.m.
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV “Sa 29th magkakaroon ng Cabinet meeting mag-start 10 a.m. at matatapos 1-2 p.m. (The Cabinet meeting will start at 10 a.m. and finish about 2 p.m.)," Bello said on government-run dzRB radio. Bello said Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting will tackle possible measures to hasten the country’s recovery from the global economic crisis. “Ang ating expectation ang recovery matagalan, (pero) at this point ang recovery nariyan na (We expected the recovery to take a long time but at this point, the global economy is recovering)," he said. Other items on top of the agenda in the Cabinet meeting include the problem on drugs and the November 23 Ampatuan town massacre, he said. He said Mrs. Arroyo expects a report from Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera on the progress of rebellion and murder charges against the suspects in the killing of at least 57 people in Ampatuan town in Maguindanao last Nov. 23. Bello also said Mrs. Arroyo expects a report from Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency head Dionisio Santiago on the cocaine bricks recently recovered from Samar. - GMANews.TV