Estrada flies today to Brunei for APEC leaders’ summit

Two days after the House of Representatives impeached him, President Estrada flies today to Brunei with First Lady Luisa Ejercito to take part in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (APEC) Leaders’ Summit.

The Chief Executive is expected to return home at 8 p.m. tomorrow. Malacañang said traditional send-off ceremonies, usually involving foreign dignitaries, have been dispensed with and only a small group of Cabinet members will attend the President’s departure.

Mr. Estrada told reporters yesterday he is confident the situation in the country remains "normal" amid anti-government demonstrations by militant groups and the political opposition.

"The (rallies) will not cause any harm because we have a Constitution that must be followed," he said. "There is nothing to worry about."

Mr. Estrada said the APEC meeting can be a forum in which the government could seek solutions to economic problems affecting the country like the currency crisis and the continuing increase in oil prices in the world market.

"It’s the obligation of the President to attend the APEC where heads of states meet," he said. "It would not be good if we won’t be there. Anyway, it (APEC summit) will only be held for two days. I will come back immediately so there is nothing to be worried about."

Mr. Estrada will represent the country in this year’s annual summit meeting of the heads of government of the 21 APEC member countries, which will be held in Brunei’s capital of Bander Seri Begawan.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo Siazon Jr. and acting Trade and Industry Secretary Tomas Aquino had left earlier for Bander Seri Begawan to attend various APEC ministerial meetings.

Press Secretary Ricardo Puno Jr. told reporters yesterday the Chief Executive will not have any one-on-one talks with US President Bill Clinton and other heads of government at the summit.

However, Puno said Mr. Estrada may be able to hold informal talks with other APEC heads of government during breaks in their scheduled three-hour "retreat" tomorrow.

Puno said he was not aware of any specific initiatives or talking points that Mr. Estrada may raise at the APEC Leaders’ Summit meeting.

As in past APEC summit meetings, the heads of government of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will meet separately either before or after the APEC leaders’ retreat, he added.

Puno said the President has designated Miguel Varela, president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), to head the three-man Philippine business delegation to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABEC) in the APEC summit in Brunei.

Puno said Varela replaces former foreign affairs secretary Roberto Romulo, who had earlier resigned, along with other ABEC members following allegations that Mr. Estrada received money from jueteng operators.

Earlier, Varela denied reports that the PCCI had called for President Estrada’s resignation, saying that the businessmen’s group is divided over the issue.

President Estrada told reporters yesterday he will again name estranged Vice President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as co-chairman of the government caretaker committee, which is officially known as the Office of the President Coordinating Executive Committee.

In the past, Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora co-chaired the caretaker committee along with Arroyo whenever President Estrada traveled abroad.

When constituted, the caretaker committee is also comprised of Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado, Interior and Local Governments Secretary Alfedo Lim, Justice Secretary Artemio Tuquero and National Security Adviser Alexander Aguirre.

Last week, Arroyo declined Mr. Estrada’s appointment of her as co-chairman of the caretaker committee in preparation for the Chief Executive’s trip this morning.