Manila - United States of America (USA) President Barack Obama on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 canceled his official visit to Philippines next week due to US government partial shutdown.
In a statement released by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) today, it says that Obama conveyed to President Benigno S. Aquino III that he regrets that he will not be able to push through with his visit to Manila this month.
Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez says that President Obama explains that this is because of issues relating to the US Government shutdown.
In a statement released by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) today, it says that Obama conveyed to President Benigno S. Aquino III that he regrets that he will not be able to push through with his visit to Manila this month.
Assistant Secretary Raul Hernandez says that President Obama explains that this is because of issues relating to the US Government shutdown.
It was reported that the US government has partially shut down for the first time in 17 years, after Congress failed to agree measures to continue funding basic services.
"President Aquino understands the decision of President Obama. Philippines-U.S. relations remain strong and forward-looking.", DFA statement said.
If the visit will be pushed-through, it will be Obama's first trip to the Philippines. In the statement of White House last September 13, the office of White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said: "The President will travel to Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines from October 6-12 as part of his ongoing commitment to increase U.S. political, economic and security engagement with the Asia Pacific."
Malacañang spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that Obama is supposed to be in Manila on October 11-12 "upon the invitation of [His Excellency] President Benigno S Aquino." This is to o reaffirm the strong economic, people-to-people, and security links between our two countries.
If the visit will be pushed-through, it will be Obama's first trip to the Philippines. In the statement of White House last September 13, the office of White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said: "The President will travel to Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines from October 6-12 as part of his ongoing commitment to increase U.S. political, economic and security engagement with the Asia Pacific."
Malacañang spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that Obama is supposed to be in Manila on October 11-12 "upon the invitation of [His Excellency] President Benigno S Aquino." This is to o reaffirm the strong economic, people-to-people, and security links between our two countries.
