P-Noy leaves tonight for US visit

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino will leave tonight for an official visit to the United States following an invitation by US President Barack Obama.

But the one-on-one meeting between the two leaders has yet to be finalized, according to Malacañang and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Aquino is expected to highlight the Philippines’ gains in its fight against graft and corruption, economic agenda as well as foreign policies during the US visit.

The DFA said the President’s trip to the US hopes to enhance the Philippines’ strategic profile by underscoring the Aquino government’s demonstrated commitment to good governance and anti-corruption agenda through the following specific activities: official launch of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) and the public lecture during the World Bank-International Monetary Fund 2011 annual meeting on the theme “Citizen Empowerment and Good Governance as Tools for Poverty Reduction.”

Another objective of the visit is to boost awareness about the Aquino administration’s domestic and foreign policy thrusts by speaking before the Asia Society.

It also aims to highlight the Aquino government’s economic agenda and accomplishments after a year in office through a speech before three business organizations: the US-ASEAN Business Council, the US Chamber of Commerce and the Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce, all in New York, where the President will participate in a roundtable discussion. He has also been invited to speak before the IBM Centennial Forum.

The President also hopes to meet with potential US investors and to apprise the Filipino community about the government’s accomplishments.

The President also said he would be happy to announce the government’s partnership with the private sector in promoting business with ethics in the Philippines.

The OGP is a new multilateral initiative to promote transparency, empower citizens, fight corruption and harness new technologies to strengthen governance.

The Philippines is one of only two countries from Asia invited to become a member of the International Steering Committee of OGP. Other members of the steering committee are the United States, Brazil, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway and South Africa.

The President is also set to deliver a speech at an OGP-related forum entitled “The Power Open: A Global Discussion” in New York City. Aquino is the only head of state invited to address the forum.

Aquino will likewise be conferred a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, by Fordham University in ceremonies to be held at Keating Hall in the university’s Rosa Hill campus in New York.

Fordham, an independent university in the Jesuit tradition founded in 1841, had also conferred an honorary degree on President Corazon Aquino in September 1986.

As part of the Fordham tradition, the names of over 30 world leaders conferred a degree were carved on the steps of the “Terrace of the Presidents” at Keating Hall. President Aquino’s name will be carved next to that of his mother.

Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Patricia Paez said the President will also have business meetings with IBM and Convergys, both of which already have businesses in the Philippines.

In Washington, Aquino is invited by WB Group president Robert Zoellick to give a public lecture before the WB.

He will also meet with Sen. Daniel Inouye, president pro-tempore of the US Senate and chairman of the appropriations committee, to thank the senator for his continued support to the Philippines.

Inouye was responsible for the passage of Filipino Veterans Compensation Fund and the primary sponsor of the SAVE Act, which will benefit both the Philippine garment industry and the US textile manufacturers.

He will also be meeting with the Filipino community in Washington, Maryland and Virginia.