Do you agree with P-Noy that state visits to other countries would have to wait given the problems that need fixing in the home front?

Carol Barbo Dawal, Mandaluyong City: Yes, it’s but right to clean up the mess in our own backyard first.

Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: State visits almost always rake in money in the form of investments. Problems at home require money to be solved. P-Noy must strike while the iron is hot.

Focus on internal problems

Lydia Reyes, Bataan: I agree with P-Noy. State visits to other countries can wait. There are more internal problems that require his attention.

Reynaldo Joaquin, Las Piñas City: I agree. As P-Noy now seems to be a hands-on President, he must fix the country’s domestic problems first to ensure a straight road to progress.

Ella Arenas, Pangasinan: It’s really nice of P-Noy to show his concern for his country by postponing state visits to other countries. Through this, he can better address problems that need immediate solutions.

Joe Nacilla, Las Piñas City: I fully agree with P-Noy’s aim to fix first our country’s problems before visiting other countries.

Miguelito Herrera, Cabanatuan City: I agree with President Aquino’s stand to serve the Filipino people first. Those state visits would have to wait. It’s a matter of scheduling.

Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: I fully agree with P-Noy on this issue. It’s quite difficult to attend to those state visits when you have your own problems to attend to.

Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: I believe President Aquino is right in his decision to postpone his visits to other countries. There is much to do here in our country. First things first. Good decision, Mr. President.

Carmela Ramento, Cagayan de Oro City: Agree. Problems in the country have to be given priority over visits to other lands, which can wait, after all.

Kathleen Joy Bulseco, Ilocos Sur: Absolutely, and I’m so glad that our President knows his priorities. He must focus first on the problems that have been plaguing the country for the longest time.

Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: Yes, state visits should take the backseat. P-Noy should focus instead on matters that could help alleviate the living conditions of our people.

Rudy Tagimacruz, Malaybalay City, Bukidnon: Except for UN-backed summits, P-Noy should really defer his visits to other countries and instead attend to local problems.

Ricky Benitez, Bacolod City: Yes, state visits can wait, unless of course our problems need the help of other countries, then he will have to make state visits and foster good relationships.

House in shambles

Larry Parroco, Metro Manila: P-Noy is right. The mess in his own turf created by some irresponsible Cabinet men has to be settled first. He gets all the flak for this.

Concepcion Gaspar, Laoag City: Yes, he has a point. He is the next tenant in a house where there are lots of political cobwebs and debris to get rid of. In short, he must first clean his own backyard before visiting other homes.

Roger Caravana, Bulacan: P-Noy must defer state visits to other countries and attend to home problems, such as teaching his Cabinet members some good manners.

Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: Yes, fixing the homefront is a priority. How can you travel if you inherited a house in shambles?

Just do it

Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: Don’t just say it, do it, please.

Expensive travel

Lucas Banzon Madamba, Laguna:  While state visits usually promote the inflow of money and financial inputs, which can possibly help in the upgrade of the economic situation of a foreign nation as well as promote and maintain bilateral trade relations between two nations in the area of international interest, I agree with President Aquino that state visits will have to wait until problems confronting our country are solved because such travels are normally expensive.

Jun Cajucom, Metro Manila: I agree. While GMA spent too much on global trips, this President thinks not for himself but for the country.

Sensitive issue

Elmo Cruz, Manila: This is a rather sensitive issue that needs deeper consideration. There is no argument that there are pressing problems at home that President Aquino has to attend to personally, 24/7. Foremost of these is the terrorist threat which many nations, especially those allied with the US, must watch out for. The problem is, P-Noy is being invited by heads of state of our neighboring countries not just for trade relations but to attend to problems of the regions also. But inviting parties will understand our predicament. Peace and order in the country should come first.

Laudable move

Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: Despite some kinks in his administration, P-Noy is trying to make a difference. His efforts are commendable.

Robert Young Jr., San Juan: Travel has always been the top perk in a President’s life. Ramos and Arroyo must have visited the four corners of the world during their presidencies. It’s exemplary for P-Noy to declare that traveling abroad will have to take a backseat and instead, he will take care of the country’s pressing problems first. He not only saves billions in taxpayers’ money, P-Noy also sets a good example to other officials.

He should be consistent

Leonard Villa, Batac City: P-Noy is right and he should be consistent. He must fix first our domestic problems before he could solicit foreign assistance and gain the confidence of the international community.

Raymar Gurrea, Bacolod City: P-Noy needs to fix his mind re his decisions. He should know what his principles are.

Impress Pinoys first

Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: He has to impress us first before he can even boast of his accomplishments outside the country.

Campaign promise

Rey Onate, Palayan City: Noynoy Aquino should be reminded that one of his vows during the campaign period was not to go on too many foreign travels. Nakakaapat na siya.

Abelardo Abilay, Laguna: It seems that P-Noy is a good image-builder for himself and his regime. He is quite vocal about his plans. I hope that he will be known as the President who kept his promises and for being more action than words.

Buckle down to work

Elizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: Roll up your sleeves, P-Noy, and get down to work. Six years will not be enough to achieve what you have set out to do.

Felix Ramento, USA: If he is really serious about fixing our mess first, then I agree with P-Noy 100 per cent on the matter. P-Noy must have realized that building up his fledgling government and having a firmer grip on the affairs of the state are now more urgent than venturing out at this time.

Do not sacrifice foreign relations

Nestor Chan, Metro Manila: Going on state visits to other countries is one of the duties and responsibilities of a President. As much as possible, P-Noy must not sacrifice foreign relations and policies. If there is no crisis at the homefront, P-Noy can proceed with his state visits even only for a few days.

Ishmael Calata, Parañaque City: What I know is that a state visit is done upon the invitation of the head of state of the host country and not the other way around. It is an honor of the highest degree given by one head of state to another who is invited and who represents a country that the former has an interest in for a possible bilateral agreement. With that in mind, therefore, I wish that President Aquino reconsiders his view that state visits will have to wait. I believe that state visits can be done at the same time that things are being done to fix the problems of our country. We might lose some opportunities that can be surely derived from P-Noy’s state visits. And this is President Aquino’s chance to show to the world that things are being done on the many negative happenings in our country.

C.B. Manalastas, Manila: It shows Pres. Aquino’s lack of knowledge on the importance of foreign diplomacy and source of foreign investments. He must not be arrogant.

Call it multi-tasking

Jayson Biadog, Mandaluyong City: He can do both - it’s all about multi-tasking. He can manage domestic problems while dealing with foreign investors.

No need to beg

Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: Before China became the economic and military might that it is today, it isolated itself from the rest of the world. It surrounded itself with ‘bamboo curtains’ so that no one knew what was going on inside. China disciplined its people. Many were murdered. There were those considered as traitors and backsliders. P-Noy doesn’t have to be as cruel to discipline us. I believe he can be a ‘hands-on’ President, but the success of our country depends on every Filipino. And he should not be visiting other countries begging for investments. They will come, but first, we have to be worthy of their trust. There should be peace and order.

But why?

Mandy Rillon, Cabanatuan City: The so-called pressing problems in the Philippines are domestic in nature and can be addressed by heads of agencies given their vast network and capabilities. So why do we have to bind our President to his official traveling functions? If this is so, the President should re-assess his manpower compliment.

He won’t be missed

Jesus Mendoza, Pangasinan: P-Noy is not making visible headway against corruption and seems to be clueless about our many problems. His absence will not be sorely missed.

He must delegate

J.R. Mondonedo Jr., Parañaque City: State visits are important because they usually bring money and investments, aside from deeper relationships. So, while the President is out there on a state visit, why doesn’t he let our Vice President Binay take care of the mess here? The President can’t do all the work. He should delegate.

Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: It remains to be seen. If that is his policy, so be it. With this, the leaders of other countries must have to wait also to visit the Philippines as our P-Noy is busy fixing problems at home and probably can’t accommodate them. The gesture is a cheap propaganda to drumbeat P-Noy’s concern for our country. Mr. President, you will be appreciated more if you are flexible and delegate your powers to VP Binay while on state visits aimed at enhancing bilateral relationships with other countries. Please study your options for the betterment of our country and people.

Thrifty president

Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: President Aquino is right in his decision to stay home while there are pressing problems that need his attention. He could be a thrifty President, like the late Ramon Magsaysay, who did not go abroad during his reign. State visits can wait until our economy becomes stable. It is also incumbent for the President to stay home when there are threats to national security.

Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: Aside from threats to national security that prevent him from leaving the country, President Aquino also wants to avoid spending for state visits and instead concentrate on eradicating corruption. This is in spite of BIR head Kim Henares admitting that it cannot be done in the next six years. However, P-Noy may go abroad if his presence is really needed in international functions or summits.

Bottomline is corruption

Rose Leobrera, Manila: Let’s admit it, no investments ever made the Philippines a progressive country, and that’s because of the presence of corruption.

Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.

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