US invites PNoy for a state visit early next year

Philippine President Benigno Aquino III has been invited by US President Barack Obama for a state visit early next year, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who was in the country, said Wednesday. “We are looking forward to President Obama welcoming President Aquino to the White House, to the Oval Office sometime early next year," Clinton told reporters in Malacañang after her bilateral meeting with Aquino. Clinton, wife of former US President Bill Clinton, was in the Philippines to sign an economic partnership agreement and strengthen defense cooperation between the two countries. “We have a lot of work to do and we want to be very sensitive to the request and needs of the government of the Philippines," she said.

She also said that the time has come “for us to look at how we can update our military relationship moving into the future knowing there are new challenges and new opportunities for us to be working together." “We want to make it clear that our military relationship like every other aspect of our relationship is one based on mutual respect and mutual interest," Clinton said. Asked about the invitation for a state visit, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said he will clarify first with Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario if the invitation has been accepted. - Amita O. Legaspi/KBK, GMA News