PostHeaderIcon GMA meets with Barack Obama



The meeting of Pres. Gloria M. Arroyo which is drummed up in the Philippines as "historic" occured Friday, July 31, 2009. In spite of high hopes of Filipinos that something big will happen to such a meeting, it barely made a stir in the US media.

Arroyo's and her coterie of 20 congressmen beheld the face of the US president and defended their travel with familiar justifications of advancing the diplomatic relationship of the Philippines with the US, an old time ally. Philippine authorities speak of a 45-minute talk on the economy, security, the Mindanao conflict and regional cooperation among Asian nations---something glowing that makes the trip look essential. Few disagree except fot the money to spend.

Yet, it is hard to quantify what benefits ordinary Filipinos will get from this recent US travel. In the fading days of her presidency, GMA is beset with poor popularity, charges of corruption, human rights violations, and a weak economy. With some gains, many look at the White House visit as another political move which combines government business with pleasure.

As before, many legislators and administration supporters scramble to join the travel wagon to be part of an official trip underwritten by taxpayer's money. Many of them include in their travel side trips to Las Vegas, tourist attractions, and shopping malls in various cities of America. It is unclear what this group of GMA companions will do after the Washington DC meeting with Obama. =0=

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