Shalani skips council sessions for Asian trip

MANILA, Philippines - Valenzuela City Councilor Soledad Shalani, who has been romantically linked to President Aquino, has asked permission from the city council to go on an overseas trip of “national concern,” Vice Mayor Eric Martinez said Monday.

Martinez said during an interview after Monday’s session of the city council that Soledad had written a letter about her trip.

Sources at the city council said Soledad, who was absent during the session, has reportedly left for Cambodia and other Asian countries to attend meetings as a representative of the Liberal Party (LP).

However, Martinez, LP-Valenzuela chairman, said he is not aware of any political activity of the party in other countries. “I am only focused on local concerns, maybe her trip is of national concern,” he said.

Councilor Alvin Feliciano, also an LP member, is also is not aware of any party activity being held outside the country.

A staff of Soledad confirmed that the councilor left for Cambodia a day before Mr. Aquino marked his first 100 days in office.

The STAR sent an e-mail to Soledad for her assessment of Mr. Aquino’s first 100 days, but she has not responded as of yesterday.