Aside from Arroyo, Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez is also expected to grace the event, which would run until Sunday. The event will be attended by state prosecutors and lawyers from around the country.
The Philippine Information Agency said Arroyo is expected to arrive at the Waterfront Hotel between 12:30 to 1 p.m. for the opening of the seminar. Reports also said that after delivering her speech at the seminar of prosecutors, the President is expected to go to Guimaras province to check on the oil spill.
However, PIA said they have not yet confirmed if Arroyo will indeed proceed to Guimaras because they do not yet have the copy of her itinerary yet.
Days after Petron-chartered tanker Solar I sank off Guimaras waters last August 11, Arroyo ordered the Philippine Coast Guard and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to investigate and immediately deploy additional ships to help contain the oil at sea and prevent it from spreading. She also convened the National Disaster Coordinating Council to discuss measures to prevent the oil slick from causing more damage to the environment.
Also, she created "Task Force Guimaras" that will coordinate government and private sector efforts to contain the massive oil spill off Guimaras. - Wenna A. Berondo/MEEV