Ermita: GMA's 71-member delegation to New York actually smaller this time

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang said yesterday that the size of the delegation of President Arroyo for her trip to New York today is not unusual and should not be considered excessive.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said that the 71-member delegation was smaller than those in the previous trips of the President.

He said last Friday that the 71-member delegation was predominantly security and administrative personnel who normally accompany the President during her official foreign trips.

Interviewed over dzRB, Ermita noted that there are five official members and eight government officials for a total of 13 non-security and administrative members of the delegation.

“I believe this is not so huge compared to the other trips,” he said.

He reiterated that the President’s trip was very important because, aside from addressing the United Nations General Assembly, the President would also meet with at least two world leaders to discuss issues relevant to the Philippines.

Mrs. Arroyo is set to meet with UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference Edmeleddin Ihsanoglu.

Among the issues to be taken up are the status of the Philippines efforts to attain the Millennium Development Goals and the peace process in Mindanao.

The President would also explain to the UN body the Philippine government’s advocacy on human rights and its fight against terrorism, both of which are high on the agenda of the UN.

Ermita added that the President could also actively campaign for the passage of the Filipino Veterans’ Equity Bill still pending before the US Congress.

Reacting to reports that the bill is as good as dead, Ermita said that the information they received was that the proponents of the bill in the US House of Representatives remain optimistic that the measure would be passed into law.

He said that the President can personally exert some influence during her trip that could reverse whatever negative developments had come up in relation to the current financial crisis being experienced in the United States. – Marvin Sy