Spanish queen due March 3

Queen Sofia of Spain is coming to the Philippines for a two-day private visit in March.

Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs have been preparing since last week for Queen Sofia’s visit from March 3 to 4.

Malacañang officials told The STAR the Spanish Embassy, headed by its new ambassador, has requested that the Queen’s itinerary be kept under wraps since the visit would be "private."

New Spanish Ambassador to Manila Ignacio Sagaz Temprano took over from Tomas Pantoja last Jan. 30.

A Palace official, who asked for anonymity, said President Arroyo would host in Malacañang a luncheon or dinner for Queen Sofia, wife of King Juan Carlos de Borbon.

Next month’s visit would be the fourth for the Queen of Spain, who was last in the Philippines in 2000.

Mrs. Arroyo is set to make a state visit to Spain from March 24 to 26.

Consul General to Los Angeles Marcial Paynor Jr., presidential consultant on state and official visits, is in Malacañang to take charge of preparations for Mrs. Arroyo’s series of foreign trips this year.

Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye welcomed yesterday the reported plan of US President George W. Bush to go on a state visit to the Philippines sometime in October.

"It has been reported and we noted that it has not been denied, so we have reasons to believe it may push through," he said.

Bunye said Bush called up Mrs. Arroyo last Feb. 11 and discussed with her, among other matters, her scheduled state visit to Washington on April 2.

Bunye said he has "reasons to believe" The STAR report last Friday that Bush might make a reciprocal visit to the Philippines in October. – Marichu Villanueva