Trump’s extended stay in the country for East Asia meet, will boost PHL- US relations.

 The White House earlier said President Donald Trump will be in Manila to attend the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Nov. 12 and the ASEAN-US summit the following day. He was originally scheduled to skip the EAS summit and leave on Nov. 14. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson was supposed to represent Trump at the EAS.

But the US president had a change of heart, he is not skipping the East Asia Summit (EAS) after all. He will extend his stay in Manila next week. Before flying to Manila, the US President will also visit Japan, South Korea, China and Vietnam.

The EAS is an annual meeting of national leaders from the East Asian region and adjoining countries. The 12th EAS will convene in Angeles, Pampanga on Novembers 13 and 14 this year. *

President Trump's decision to extend his stay in the country is seen not only a boost for the relations between ASEAN-US, but more importantly for PHL-US relations( photo credit to AP)

President Duterte felt “overwhelmed” by Trump’s decision, said Philippine ambassador to the US Jose Manuel Romualdez.

Duterte, who had announced his “separation” from the US and pivot to China, was very happy upon receiving news on Friday evening that Trump would extend his stay in Manila, Romualdez said.

Duterte, he added, was looking forward to his bilateral meeting with Trump.


“The President [Duterte] looks forward to engaging President Trump in the productive dialogue at the ASEAN-US Commemorative Summit and the EAS,” Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said during the radio briefing aired over Radyo Pilipinas.
 The Palace official said that this would be the perfect time for ASEAN and other partnering countries to resolve current issues.

Sec.  Martin Andanar said that the Philippines, as the host and chair of the 31st ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, is set to welcome all foreign leaders and delegates to ensure that they would experience Filipino hospitality at its finest.

“And since we are about to approach the culminating event of the 31st ASEAN, we will need to ensure the security of the ASEAN leaders plus the partnering countries,” Secretary Andanar said.

“We should show our best foot forward kasi this is the time that we can show the whole world that we are a very good country, a very nice country, disciplined people, and we are very warm, alam na naman ng lahat ‘yan. And we are very orderly,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Communications chief said that this year, the Gala Dinner for the ASEAN leaders will be held the night before the 31st ASEAN Summit.  *

“Kumbaga, fresh pa ‘yung mga leaders natin kasi kararating pa lang ng Pilipinas and nakapaghanda na rin ‘yung mga senior ministers days prior to that. So ‘yun ang isang pagkakaiba ng ASEAN,” Andanar said

report from PNA.gov.ph