Only 3 to 4 lawmakers can join PNoy's foreign trips

Only three to four members of the House of Representatives will be allowed to accompany President Benigno Simeon Aquino III in his foreign trip, that is if they will be invited by Malacañang. “If he doesn’t invite us (we won’t send delegates). Meron nang nagpapasabi sa ‘kin na gusto nyang sumama pero sabi ko (Someone has expressed desire to join the delegation but I said) it's not up to me," House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny" Belmonte, said in a press conference on Thursday afternoon. “Kung ipasasama tayo, e di OK, kung di naman, baka mas malakas kayo sa ‘kin (If they will invite us, it’s fine with me but if not, maybe you can convince them more than I can do)," Belmonte added. The House leader said he would limit the number of lawmakers who would be allowed to go with Aquino “para matipid (so we will have less expenses)." Aquino is scheduled to go the United States on September 20 to attend the United Nations general assembly, hold a road show, witness the signing of the Millennium Challenge Corporation's $434-million grant, and meet with the Philippine Development Foundation to discuss information technology projects. Before this trip, Aquino is set to go to Indonesia on September 14-15. Malacanang earlier assured that the President will not have lavish dinners during the trip. During the previous administration, the House was criticized for allowing a huge delegation to accompany former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in her trips abroad. Belmonte said he allowed at least six legislators to attend conferences set in the next months but clarified that the House will not shell out money for those foreign trips. “OK din sa ‘kin basta iba ang nagbabayad (It’s fine with me as long as others are paying)," he told reporters. He said the House members were invited in the conferences at the expense of the organizers. In a phone interview with GMANews.TV Friday, Rep Florencio Noel, House accounts committee chairman, confirmed that Belmonte is now strict in releasing the budget on foreign trips. “Ang ginawa ni Speaker pag hindi official conference pax account lang at mag-iisyu ng travel authority para mailagay sa attendance na on official travel or official business," he said. He said in official conferences, the House provides its members with a “modest budget." “Merong allowance na binibigay sa members that is well within the budget recommended by the Department of Foreign Affairs," Noel said. The chamber gives $300 allowance per day for it members traveling to US and European countries. The amount covers the hotel accommodation, food, transportation, among others. —VVP, GMANews.TV