Aquino: Mislang won’t be in APEC meet in Japan

Expect no tweets from the President’s speechwriter Carmen “Mai" Mislang about the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) in Japan next week, which her boss is getting ready to attend. Mislang, an assistant secretary at the Presidential Communication Development and Strategic Planning (PCDSP) office, will not be part of the Philippine delegation to the APEC, according to President Benigno Aquino III himself. “Not at this time," Aquino said when asked if he would bring Mislang along to Yokohama, Japan for the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting from November 12 to 15. In an ambush interview, PCDSP secretary Ricky Carandang also said that while they are still finalizing the list of delegates to the APEC, “it’s possible" that Mislang would not be included. A release posted on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs meanwhile said Aquino will be joined by Foreign Affairs secretary Alberto Romulo and Trade and Industry secretary Gregory Domingo. Reports also state that Malacañang is considering sending Presidential Management Staff deputy chief Ralph Ignacio to Japan. It was not clear, however, if Malacañang’s decision not to include Mislang was the result her controversial tweets during Aquino’s state visit to Vietnam, which she posted on the social networking site Twitter. Mislang reportedly tweeted "(The) wine sucks" while Aquino was being received by Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet at the Banquet Hall of the Government Guesthouse. She also reportedly posted at least two other risqué remarks: "Sorry pero walang pogi dito #vietnam. (Sorry, but there are no handsome men here #vietnam)" and "Crossing the speedy motorcycle laden streets of Hanoi is one of the easiest ways to die." Amid mounting criticism, Malacañang has said Mislang’s comments are not likely to affect the country’s relations with Vietnam. (See: Palace: Aide's snide tweets won't affect RP-Vietnam relations) Aquino has also said he will not fire Mislang, as he was convinced that she has realized the implications of her Twitter comments. (See: Aquino won't fire aide over controversial Vietnam tweets) Mislang has since apologized for her gaffe, while Carandang ordered his PCDSP staff to refrain from using social networking sites while the agency’s social media policy undergoes his review. Another Facebook page As this developed, a page was created in yet another social networking site Facebook, titled “We love you Mai Mislang". A post, apparently by the page’s administrator, challenged Mislang’s “haters" to a debate on what good acts they can do for the country. The page also includes a picture showing Mislang in what seemed like a drinking session, along with Aquino, who does not drink according to his campaign team shortly after he was elected. The profile picture also included excerpts from the song "Honesty", which says, "Honesty is such a lonely word. Everyone is so untrue." The “Info" tab of the page likewise reads, “I speak for the truth, Is there something wrong with that?" As of posting time, 12 people have “liked" the page. Its first few entries, which were pictures, were dated November 3. It came a day after the first entry for the hate page set up by critics of Mislang also appeared. As of posting time, however, over 800 people have “liked" the hate page.—With Jerrie M. Abella/JV, GMANews.TV