The Philippine Online Chronicles

President-elect Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III may be meeting with United States President Barack Obama later in the year, reported Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Erlinda Basilio.

According to Basilio, the Philippines will be coordinating the US-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit which will take place in Hanoi, Vietnam in October. Both leaders are set to attend.

“There are summits where the Philippines has to be represented, and it’s up to [Aquino] which ones he will attend, but this particular summit is a ‘must’,” she said.

Other summits Aquino is expected to attend are the opening of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) on the second Tuesday of September; the Asia-Europe Meeting in Brussels which is also in October; and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Yokohama, Japan in November.

“It’s a good way to introduce himself and also to put forward his views on many international issues discussed in these meetings,” said Basilio.

She added that the UNGA in particular would signal Aquino’s "debut in the international community."

"It will be an excellent opportunity for him to address the UNGA. All the UN members will be there. A lot of the heads of government and heads of state will be making speeches. New heads of state usually go there.”

Obama phoned Aquino earlier this month to congratulate him for winning the 2010 elections.

According to the White House Press Office, Obama “described the May 10 elections as a model of transparency and positive testament to the strength and vitality of democracy in the Philippines." There is a deep historic and people-to-people ties between the US and the Philippines, he said, thus the strong cooperation between the two countries on security and economic issues, which the two leaders are looking forward to discussing "at a mutually convenient time.”

Aquino said that he and Obama had "a very pleasant conversation" and said that the American president seemed "very sincere" in his intention in strengthening ties with the Philippines.

Asking Obama how to quit smoking

Aquino has also reportedly asked Obama for advice on how to quit smoking, a habit both state leaders have been notorious for.

During the congratulatory phone call, Aquino said that he attempted to lighten the tone of conversation by asking for smoking advice.

"At some point I attempted some humor, I told him 'Mr. President I understand we have the same issue with smoking.' He told me, 'Well, I quit that already. I quit, it's your sole problem but I'm ready to offer advice,'" said Aquino.

"He said he'll send it," Aquino added. "'At the time that you decide to quit, I'll send the advice.' I think that was almost the exact quote."

“When I ran for the presidency, everyone knew I was a smoker,” Aquino added. “I will kick the habit at the appropriate time. As long as I follow the controls of the laws and I don't disturb other people, then maybe this is a part of what remains of my freedom.”

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites