MANILA, Philippines — President Macapagal-Arroyo won’t be watching Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao when he takes on Mexican-American David Diaz in Las Vegas over the weekend, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Saturday.
Ermita, however, said he doesn’t have any information on whether the President?s husband Jose Miguel Arroyo and Arroyo’s children Pampanga congressman Juan Miguel, Camarines Norte lawmaker Diosdado II, and environmentalist Luli will watch the world title bout.
Arroyo and the First Gentleman are among Pacquiao’s most avid supporters.
Government radio station dzRB reported that before Arroyo attended to her business calls on Friday in the United States, she and the First Family heard mass and had breakfast together to mark the First Gentleman’s 62nd birthday.
Quoting her congressman-son Dato, the occasion was simple and private.
The executive secretary said Arroyo will arrive as scheduled in Manila on Monday. He said she will directly proceed to Baler in Aurora province.
He added that Arroyo is scheduled to go to Iloilo on Tuesday to personally see the devastation and the needs of one of the provinces hardest hit by typhoon “Frank” when it made landfall last weekend. Frank hit just as Arroyo was leaving for the US. Ermita said Arroyo will hold her first Cabinet meeting after her US trip in Iloilo.
Iloilo Vice Governor Rolex Suplico and administraion lawmaker Iloilo Representative Ferjeneo Biron have criticized the slow conduct of relief and rehabilitation work by the National Disaster Coordinating Council the past week.
Arroyo’s arrival is expected to hasten the efforts.
Government station dzRB radio quoted Press Secretary Jesus Dureza and erstwhile presidential spokesperson Ignacio Bunye as saying that Arroyo will return ?straight to Manila? from Washington.
The station reported that Arroyo is scheduled to meet with Republican presidential candidate John McCain in Washington before returning to the country.
Upon her arrival, she is reportedly scheduled to proceed to Baler in Aurora province to take part in activities in connection with the Philippine-Spanish friendship day.
