US stays out of travel ban on GMA, but...

MANILA, Philippines - The United States stayed out of the controversy on the travel ban imposed on former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo by the Department of Justice but would consider a request from the former leader to go to the US to undergo medical treatment.

US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, who was on her second day of visit yesterday, said Arroyo, who faces corruption charges, has not filed a request to go to the US.

“We would look at that,” Clinton said during a town hall meeting of a possible request from Arroyo.

Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel, were barred from leaving the country Tuesday night even as the Supreme Court approved her travel abroad by issuing a temporary restraining order on the travel ban.

Arroyo and former President Bill Clinton, the secretary’s husband, were classmates at Georgetown University.

Clinton declined to comment on the imposition of a travel ban on Arroyo, saying that it is an internal issue.

“This is obviously a matter for the authorities of the Philippine government and all of its branches and it would not be appropriate for me as a Secretary of State to comment any further,” she said during a press conference in Malacañang. 

Clinton was on an official visit for the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) considered as the mother treaty of the Military Assistance Pact, the Military Bases Agreement and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA).

She and Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto del Rosario signed in Malacañang yesterday the Joint Statement of Principles on the Partnership for Growth (PFG) in which the two countries pledged to deepen economic ties by combining resources and technical capacities.

“The PFG is a manifestation of the multi-dimensionality of Philippine-US engagement. It also affirms the Aquino administration’s relentless pursuit of a broad-based economic growth towards a direct and perceptible transformation on the quality of life of Filipinos,” Del Rosario said.

The Philippines is one of four countries, and the only country in Asia, engaged by the US in this kind of partnership. The others are Ghana, El Salvador, and Tanzania.

These countries were chosen for their “solid track record in economic performance. Democratic governance, investment in its people, and success on other US government investments.”

PFG is an initiative of the administration of US President Barrack Obama in line with the Policy Directive on Global Development. The partnership agreement emphasizes inclusive collaboration in a process of joint analysis, joint planning and joint problem solving.

“The US values its historic and economic links with the Philippines. By including the Philippines in this dynamic partnership, the US signals its commitment to an economically stronger Philippines,” said Clinton. – With Michelle Zoleta