Palace lauds House for not sending 'delegates' to US trip

Malacañang lauded the House of Representatives' leadership on Friday for deciding not to send any "delegate" to accompany President Benigno Aquino III on his upcoming working visit to the United States. In a radio interview, Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma particularly commended House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. for deciding to work on passing the P1.64-trillion proposed national budget for 2011. "Kapuri-puri ang gesture na di sila nagpahiwatig na sasama sa ating pangulo (The gesture of the House of Representatives not to send 'delegates' to join the trip is a laudable one)," Coloma said in an interview on dzRH radio. He said the decision also reflects the thrust of Aquino's administration for government to focus on its work. Coloma pointed out the upcoming visit to the US is more of a job for the executive branch than for the legislative branch. Imelda Marcos On the other hand, he belied speculations the move of Belmonte was aimed at making sure Rep. Imelda Marcos is kept out of the US trip. "Walang ganyang konsiderasyon (There was no such consideration)," he said. "Mismong si Speaker Belmonte ang nagsabi di na sila sasama sapagka't magfo-focus sila sa importanteng homework especially ang budget. Preference nila [na] mag-homework sa panahong ito (Belmonte himself said they will focus on their homework now, which is the budget. They prefer to do their homework at this time)," he added. On Thursday, Belmonte said the House of Representatives will not send anyone, including himself, to join Aquino in his United States visit. (See: No congressman going with PNoy on his US trip) Belmonte said the Palace has not invited any legislator, whether from the House or the Senate, to join the trip. He added there are millions of Filipinos in the area "if ever President Aquino will need a gallery support." Belmonte also said it will be bad for the image of the country if President Aquino will show up with a large delegation. On the issue with Mrs. Marcos, Belmonte said: "She never talked with me (about it). Maybe she had other people hinting at me pero Rep. Marcos never asked me point blank," he said. Frugality In the same radio interview, Coloma reiterated that frugality will be one of the main rules in the US visit. He said the Philippine delegation will not take a chartered flight to the US. Also, he said Aquino had instructed they will dine at inexpensive venues. "Napakasimple ng taste ng pangulo, di mahilig sa maluluhong pagkain (The president's tastes are very simple. He is not fond of expensive food)," he 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. — RSJ, GMANews.TV