Finally, Obama phones GMA

MANILA, Philippines – After nearly two weeks, US President-elect Barack Obama finally returned the call of President Arroyo before dawn yesterday and reassured her that the strong relations between the Philippines and the US would continue, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said yesterday.

Dureza said Obama called Mrs. Arroyo at 3:17 a.m. after also having telephone conversations with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

The Democratic president-elect “expressed his appreciation for their congratulations on his election,” according to a statement from Obama’s transition office.

Dureza said he could not get more details from the President, who was about to board a helicopter to attend a wake in Laguna when he asked her about the call.

“She said there was a call and I asked what was the subject of conversation. The call took place early dawn. It’s more of reassurance of good relations and cooperation between the Philippines and the US,” Dureza said.

Asked whether the Palace saw something in the fact that Obama lumped the Philippines, Georgia and Turkey together in his third batch of return calls to world leaders, Dureza said: “Whether there is significance in being called at the same time as Georgia and Turkey, only President-elect Obama can give significance (to that).”

Obama’s earlier failure to answer at least two phone calls from Mrs. Arroyo became an issue, with critics describing it as a snub. – Paolo Romero