Thsi is where our taxes go

90 government, security officials join Arroyo in Davos trip

By Tarra Quismundo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 12:56:00 01/22/2008

MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE) The plane was not even a third full when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her entourage of almost 90 government and security officials left for Switzerland Tuesday aboard a chartered Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight.

Taking the flag carrier to a city where it does not fly, Arroyo left at noon to attend the World Economic Forum in the ski resort city of Davos, Switzerland.

The 302-seater plane was scheduled to make a brief stopover in Bangkok for refueling before continuing on to Zurich.

Neither airport nor Malacañang media officers had a copy of the entourage roster, but seen boarding the plane with the President were her husband First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and daughter Evangeline Lourdes "Luli" Arroyo, along with cabinet members and security officers.

Present at the sendoff at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Centennial Terminal were Vice President Noli de Castro, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Justice Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., and top military officials. President Arroyo was given the usual departure honors by the Philippine Air Force Honor Guards.

The President had said she would promote the country's "strategic interest" and "press the need for closer economic, political and social relations between the Philippines and the world" during her trip to the WEF, where leaders from all over the world will gather.

Arroyo's seven-day overseas trip, her first this year, will take her to a meetings in Zurich, Davos and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates for an investment road show. She is expected to be home on Monday.

Ingat sa pamamasyal, Luli. :-)