The camp of the Vice President Leni Robredo underscored the importance of President Duterte’s attendance to the United States-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (US-ASEAN) Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada in March.
Vice Presidential spokesperson Barry Gutierrez said it might be better for Duterte to be present in the special summit because of the many issues up for discussion among the ASEAN leaders.
“Kung lahat ng ASEAN leaders nandoon, pinulong, maraming pag-uusapang importante diyan at maraming mapag-uusapan diyan na posibleng may implikasyon sa ating sitwasyon dito sa ating bansa,” she said on Robredo’s radio show, “BISErbisyong Leni.”
Gutierrez, a lawyer, noted the most important issue on the table for discussion during the upcoming US-ASEAN summit could be the disputed West Philippine Sea.
“Paano kung mapag-usapan iyan? Paano kung ma-raise iyan tapos wala tayo, ‘di ba?,” Gutierrez said.
“I’m sure kahit hindi naman pupunta si Pangulong Duterte, malamang naman diyan papupuntahin niya ang isang kinatawan. Pero siyempre, iba pa rin talaga na iyong mismong Pangulo, iyong ating pinuno ng pamahalaan ay siyang haharap at siya ang makikipag-usap,” he continued.
US President Trump has invited Duterte to visit the US for the special summit, but Duterte declined Trump’s invitation.
Duterte is not keen on going to the US after the US Embassy cancelled the visa of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, one of his close allies. He is concerned whether he will be provided a visa and allowed entry upon arrival in the US. (Raymund Antonio)
