President Arroyo is the first Southeast Asian leader who was received by Obama in the White House, arrived at around 3 p.m. at the executive mansion, where pro and anti-Arroyo groups held protests outside the White House gates.

The meeting lasted at about 45 minutes which Arroyo accompanied by some of her political constituents such as Philippine Ambassador to the US Willy Gaa, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, House Speaker Prospero Nograles, presidential adviser on climate change Heherson Alvarez and Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.

US President Obama hailed the relationship of the two allies, and mentioned the contributions of Filipinos to America.

“We are proud to have 4 million persons of Filipino ancestry contributing to our country each and every day in all walks of life. The fact that we have Filipino veterans who have walked side by side with American soldiers on behalf of freedom, all those things that have strengthened the relations of our two countries,” he said.

He also said that they primarily discussed the fight against terrorism during their meeting.

“I am very pleased that President Arroyo has made such good progress on dealing with counterterrorism issues. She has initiated a peace process in Mindanao that we think has the potential to bring peace and stability to a part of the Philippines that has been wracked by unrest for too long,” Obama said.

Meanwhile, President Arroyo thanked President Obama for inviting her to the White House, and restated the Philippines’ support to issues America is pursuing in the region.

“The Philippines will stand behind the US in two crucial issues in the region: Burma and North Korea,” she added.

The President also thanked the US’s help in facing climate change, and the granting of benefits for Filipino World War II veterans.

CHED Chairman Emmanuel Angeles said that they decided to cancel classes on Monday due to the traffic that will be caused by the 95th celebration of the Iglesia ni Cristo.

“Inaasahan natin ang mga taga Iglesia ni Cristo from the provinces na pupunta sa Manila for their anniversary, so malamang na magkaroon ng problema sa trapiko,” he added.

However, he clarified that the cancellation of classes is only for schools in Metro Manila. Teresita Domalanta, the NCR chief of the Department of Education also declared the suspension of classes in the pre-elementary, elementary and secondary levels.

“Dahil po sa dalawang malaking okasyon sa darating na Lunes, nagpasya kaming isuspindi muna ang klase,” she said.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is scheduled on July 27 to deliver her 9th and last State of the Nation Address at exactly 4 p.m.

Several schools such as the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) and San Sebastian College-Recoletos Manila announced earlier to suspend their classes tomorrow.

It was stated by the PUP Public Affairs Office that the suspension of classes implies to all of its campuses and branches all over the country.

PUP President Dante Guevarra wants their students to participate and listen to the great and last speech of the President of the Philippines.

During interview, CBCP president Archbishop Angel Lagdameo said he does not know the history of the money although it could be one of the “cash gifts” given by Malacañang to congressmen who would endorse, and then dismiss, a weak impeachment complaint against President Arroyo.

“I will confer with the CBCP Permanent Council to discuss the issue though I can almost see what the council’s decision will be: We will not take the money,” Lagdameo said.

He added that he will refuse the money even if de Venecia insists on giving it.

De Venecia earlier told congressmen that his refusal to endorse the complaint cost him the Speakership and the presidency of Lakas-CMD, the party he co-founded with former president Fidel Ramos.

During the hearing on the new impeachment complaint against Arroyo, de Venecia confirmed that he received a P500,000 bribe from Malacañang to endorse the complaint.
He said he did not touch the money but will turn it over to the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Archbishop Angel Lagdameo and Archbishop Oscar Cruz.

Gabriela party list Rep. Liza Maza supported de Venecia’s claim and said bribery among top government officials should stop in order to effect change in government.
Maza cited various reports that linked Malacañang to bribery including the alleged distribution of P500,000 “cash gifts” to congressmen and governors in October 2007.

“On October 11, 2007, there was a breakfast meeting at Malacanang, including President Arroyo and around 189 congressmen. At the same time, a meeting was also called by the President for local government officials. According to reports, and as to what the public has already seen via media live footage, the officials went out of the meeting bringing paper bags,” she said.

By October 15 of the same year, governors Ed Panlilio (Pampanga) and Joselito Mendoza (Bulacan) confirmed in a press conference that they have received P500,000 after the breakfast meeting at the Palace. Panlilio stated that public funds may have been used for the alleged bribery scandal.

Courtesy of ABS-CBN News

The Arroyo administration is very hopeful that Philippine-US relations will strengthen under an Obama administration, especially with respect to the Philippine government’s desire to see the Veterans Equity Bill passed by the US Congress. Meanwhile Obama, a senator from Illinois, has agreed to support the passage of the bill, which would assist Filipino war veterans.

Lorelei Fajardo, a Deputy Presidential spokesperson has also said the Arroyo government is looking forward to “greater cooperation between the USA and the Philippines” especially since “the Democrats have always been good allies”.

“We wish to express our profound congratulations to President-elect Barack Obama for his historical and stellar win as the 44th president of the US,” Fajardo said.
“His call for change opened a new phase in American politics, sparking hope and inspiration not only for the American people but the citizens of the world,” she added.

Fajardo said “America has always been the bastion of democracy and the world has always looked to the USA for direction.”

“Obama has promised change and the American people and the world awaits these changes,” she said.