No congressman going with PNoy on his US trip

The House of Representatives will not be sending anyone, not even Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, as President Benigno Simeon Aquino III goes to the United States later this month. Belmonte said the Palace has not invited any legislator, whether from the House or the Senate, to join the trip. “In the House I have decided not to send a delegation separate from the President’s. I believe that what we can achieve there , he can achieve through the delegation he will be bringing," he said in a press conference Thursday afternoon. He added there are millions of Filipinos in the area “if ever President Aquino will need a gallery support." Less than five House members have expressed their willingness to join Mr Aquino on the trip “but when I verbally mentioned it to the Palace, they have no response," Belmonte said. Asked why they were not invited, the Speaker believed the Aquino administration wants to send across a message. “I think the message really of this administration is the exact opposite of (the past administration where) everybody (was) trying to hitch in and be a part of it (delegation)," Belmonte said. Last year, more than 20 lawmakers joined former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to the US to meet President Barack Obama. The trip earned a lot of criticisms due to lavish dinners it had. Belmonte said it will be bad for the image of the country if President Aquino will show up with a large delegation. “It’s a bad image to show to the United Nations that here we’re doing good in this point but not on that point tapos darating ka doon sangkaterba ang delegation mo parang lokohan. I guess the President didn’t like to have that (delegation too)," he said. Belmonte further said that it is the best time for the House members to stay in the country because of the interesting happenings in the chamber. The House is now tackling the proposed 2011 national budget and the impeachment proceedings against Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez. The Speaker clarified that Ilocos Norte Rep. Imelda was not among those who expressed interest to join Aquino's trip. “She never talked with me (about it). Maybe she had other people hinting at me pero Cong Marcos never asked me point blank," he said. –VVP, GMANews.TV