McCain here next week

MANILA, Philippines—A delegation from the United States Congress, led by former Republican candidate Sen. John McCain of Arizona, is scheduled to visit the Philippines early next week, according to the US embassy in Manila.

In an advisory, the embassy on Friday said the group would be in the country from Jan. 16 to 18 to “meet with government leaders and reaffirm the alliance and discuss cooperation” between the two allies.

The visit could include a call to President Aquino.

Aside from McCain, the delegation also includes Senators Joseph Lieberman (Connecticut), Sheldon Whitehouse (Rhode Island) and Kelly Ayotte (New Hampshire).

The visiting American lawmakers will hold a brief press conference at the embassy on Tuesday afternoon, according to the embassy.

McCain ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000, but lost to George W. Bush, who was elected president.

The senator secured the party nomination in 2008, but lost to Democratic Party candidate then Sen. Barack Obama in the November presidential election.