Lam calls off meet with Cayetano
MANILA, Philippines — A scheduled meeting between Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano and Vietnamese President To Lam on Monday was canceled amid continuing uncertainty over the Senate’s leadership and speculation of another possible leadership change.
Lam arrived in the Philippines on Sunday for a state visit aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Vietnam, as both countries mark this year the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
READ: Vietnam President To Lam arrives in PH for state visit
The Senate was set to host the Vietnamese leader, but the Senate Public Relations and Information Bureau informed the media that Vietnam had called off the meeting as early as Thursday.
No official reason was given for the cancellation, as speculation persisted of a possible Senate shakeup.
READ: PH, Vietnam expand cooperation on defense, trade, digital transformation
The Senate had earlier moved its Monday plenary session from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in anticipation of the Vietnamese leader’s visit.
Despite the cancellation, Lam’s bilateral talks with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. proceeded as scheduled at Malacañang, with both governments highlighting their commitment to expanding economic, security, and people-to-people cooperation under the newly established Enhanced Strategic Partnership. /cb
