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By Angelo S. Samonte, Reporter
President Gloria Arroyo and the Republican
presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain, met and agreed to further
strengthen relations between the Philippines and the United States.
In a brief meeting Saturday (Sunday in Manila)
in Washington, DC, the President and McCain exchanged pleasantries
as they discussed bilateral relations.
‘’The Filipinos are watching this election
in the US and hoping for the new government to continue the
relations of the US and the Philippines,’’ she said to McCain.
Incumbent US President George W. Bush is serving out his second and
last term. President Arroyo also told media that she and McCain
discussed maintaining US support for initiatives to bring lasting
peace to Mindanao, through the application of the ‘’hard and
soft’’ approach.
Mrs. Arroyo also thanked McCain for his support
for the recently passed the Veterans Equity bill at the US Senate
that will benefit Filipino veterans who fought alongside American
troops during World War II. The bill has yet to pass the US House of
Representatives.
McCain, for his part, assured President Arroyo
of stronger Philippine-US relations, especially if he wins the
presidential election this November.
President Arroyo’s meeting with Sen. Barack
Obama, the Democratic presidential hopeful, did not push through
because of scheduling conflicts.
In earlier meetings with President Bush and his
agriculture secretary, President Arroyo has asked the US government
to take the lead in addressing food shortages around the world.
President Arroyo left for home Saturday night
ending her 10-day visit to the United States. The President is
expected to arrive in Manila at 5:50 a.m. today and will immediately
proceed to Baler, Aurora, for the signing of the Personal Equity and
Retirement Account (PERA) bill.
On Tuesday, she is expected to visit Iloilo,
which suffered the most damage from Typhoon Frank.
The highlights of Mrs. Arroyo’s US trip
included her endorsement of Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago’s
candidacy for a seat in the International Court of Justice.
President Arroyo also pushed the passage of the Filipino veterans
equity bill and awarded decorations to American lawmakers helping
push the measure.
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