Noy going to Korea after all

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino will push through with his two-day trip to South Korea this week as Typhoon Ruby was downgraded into a tropical depression.

Reporters who will cover the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)–Republic of Korea commemorative summit were informed by Malacañang yesterday afternoon that the trip would push through.

Aquino canceled the trip Monday afternoon in order to be in the country to monitor the situation in areas hit by Ruby.

A high-level delegation led by Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras and Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima was supposed to attend the event in lieu of the President.

Aquino skipped an event in Pasay City yesterday because he was not feeling well.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima read a prepared speech, saying Aquino sent his deep regrets that he was unable to make it.

“…As of (Monday) night it’s still a go for him but when he woke up…he had no voice due to very bad cold and nose congestion. So it is with deep regret that he just asked me to read the speech,” De Lima said.

Aquino was supposed to deliver a keynote speech at the National Competition Conference at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte told reporters in a press briefing that she did communicate with the President through text Monday night and early yesterday morning.

“Yes, he is feeling a little unwell,” Valte said.

Valte though said the President still intended to report for work later to monitor the developments of Typhoon Ruby.

She said Aquino was still continuing to receive assessments from the field with regard to the recovery efforts in the areas hit by the typhoon over the weekend.

“The information from different areas that were hit had been coming in faster now. So the President continues to receive these updates. Also I was told that the President inquired about the progress of distribution in Eastern Samar and the figures were sent to the President (yesterday) morning,” Valte said.

Valte said Aquino had been suffering from colds since last week but his decision to skip the 25th Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Republic of Korea commemorative summit in Busan, South Korea on Thursday and Friday was made because the President wanted to stay in the country to continue to focus on efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon Ruby.

Now that the storm has passed, Aquino decided to push through with the trip to attend the dialogue between South Korea and ASEAN, which will be held at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center on Dec. 11 and 12.

“As Typhoon Ruby is set to exit the Philippine area of responsibility, reports from government representatives in the frontlines have consistently been encouraging. It is in the light of this that President Aquino has decided to push through with the original plan to attend the summit,” Valte said.

Valte said the decision was in line with the Philippines’ international commitments to South Korea, its sister nations in ASEAN and the rest of the global community.

Aquino and other ASEAN leaders are expected to deliver their respective country statements on the theme “Building Trust, Bringing Happiness.”

South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said the event would allow and the regional bloc to explore fields of cooperation “for the pursuit of our shared prosperity.”

On Dec. 11, Aquino will have a bilateral meeting with South Korean President Park Geun-hye, who will host a welcome dinner and cultural performance to welcome the ASEAN leaders.

Two commemorative summit that will review the ASEAN-ROK cooperation will be held the following day. The summit will tackle the future direction of the relationship and non-traditional issues like disaster risk management and climate change.

Aquino will also attend sideline events like an exhibition on Korean traditional arts and crafts and a special exhibition on public governance. He will also meet with the chief executive officer of the Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), company that will supply the 12 lead-in fighter trainer jets to the Philippine Air Force.  – Aurea Calica