Hillary Clinton to arrive in Manila Tuesday

MANILA, Philippines—United States State Secretary Hillary Clinton is due to arrive in Manila Tuesday for an overnight visit but it was not clear at press time when she would meet with President Aquino.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said it was not clear whether President Benigno Aquino III will meet with Clinton Tuesday or Wednesday.

“I will have to get guidance from the Department of Foreign Affairs,” Valte told reporters on Monday.

Aquino is set to arrive early Tuesday morning from a four-day trip to Honolulu, Hawaii where he attended the leaders’ summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, according to Valte.

Mr. Aquino is set to leave for Bali, Indonesia on Wednesday afternoon.

Valte also could not give the agenda of the meeting between Mr. Aquino and Clinton, who will also be arriving from the Apec summit in Honolulu.

But she said the visit of Clinton was significant because it would be a “reiteration of our friendship” with the United States.

Meanwhile, Valte said that South Korean President Lee Myung Bak will be flying in for a state visit from November 20-22, upon the invitation of Mr. Aquino.

She said that among the issues to be discussed between Aquino and Lee include the big number of South Korean tourists coming into the country.

Mr. Aquino will host a state dinner for Lee.

During his visit, Lee will attend a Korea-Philippines business forum as well as take part in a town hall meeting organized by the Ateneo de Manila University.