Debt relief among talking points during GMA visit to US

President Arroyo may discuss with US President George W. Bush a possible debt relief for the Philippines when she goes on a state visit to Washington on April 2.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said yesterday Mrs. Arroyo could ask Bush to give the Philippines relief from its obligations to American banks and US government financial institutions.

Speaking on the "Mr. Exposé" radio program over dwIZ of former Ambassador to Washington Ernesto Maceda, Bunye said Malacañang is studying proposals that the Philippines follow the lead of Turkey and Pakistan in asking for a debt relief package in exchange for assistance in the US fight against international terrorism.

"We have received such kind of proposals and these are now under study," he said.

Bunye gave the answer after Maceda suggested that the Philippines should do what Turkey and Pakistan had done when the US asked for their help in the looming invasion of Iraq and the war against the Taliban.

Bunye said Malacañang officials met with representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs and other concerned government agencies to discuss Mrs. Arroyo’s itineraries and official activities during her two-week tour of Europe and the US.

Bunye said there were no truth to reports that more than 200 businessmen would be joining Mrs. Arroyo’s official delegation for the European and American trips.

"Historically, in the past trips abroad of the President, the highest number of businessmen delegation was about 55 at the most," he said.

During his visit to The STAR offices Thursday night, Manuel Pangilinan, president and chief executive officer of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., said he would join the US leg of Mrs. Arroyo’s tour.

PLDT is the official carrier and transmitter of news reports for both government and private media in all presidential trips abroad.

Malacañang officials led by Ambassador Marciano Paynor Jr., presidential adviser on state and official foreign trips, have started to work on the Chief Executive’s official activities on her foreign trips this year. — Marichu Villanueva