Binay not part of welcome party for APEC summit

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Philippines – Vice President Jejomar Binay will not be part of the party tasked to welcome the heads of state and delegates of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit next week.

Binay, speaking to reporters here, said he would instead attend the reception as arranged by the organizers.

“The protocol is (for) the Vice President (to be) always part of the welcoming party for heads of state on a ‘state visit’ (and) not (during) the APEC meeting (itself). I will be attending the reception,” Binay said when asked of his role in the event.

He wanted an amendment to the protocol though as he stressed that the job of Vice Presidents should be more clearly defined in events like the APEC.

“All that I am doing now is to look up above and wait for my role,” Binay, who is running for president, lamented as he called on political parties to set aside differences during the summit.

He remains confident that the country will do a good job in hosting the event, believing that the inherent hospitality of Filipinos will shine throughout the event.

“First, we have a very beautiful country – it should really be visited by tourists. Second, the inherent hospitality of the Filipinos, because no matter how heavy our problem is, we still manage to smile. So, these are the basic traits of the Filipino that we really should be proud of,” Binay added.

All 21 chief executives, including US President Barack Obama, or their representatives are expected to arrive in the country for the Summit on Nov. 18 and 19.

Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr., chief of the organizing committee for the Asia-Pacific Economic Council said that President Aquino is on top of the situation as the country awaits the arrival of leaders for the meeting.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indonesian President Joko Widodo will not attend the summit.   – With Helen Flores