Aquino back in Manila, defends speechwriter

abs-cbnNEWS.com

Posted at 11/01/2010

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III is back in the Philippines after his state visit to Vietnam where he also attended the 17th Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.

The President arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport past 7 p.m. Sunday.

Aquino said the trip was a success as he was able to strengthen alliances with other ASEAN countries. He said he is expecting a favorable response from our neighbor countries, particularly investors who might be interested in the government's campaign to strengthen public-private partnerships.

He said he also received invitations to visit Thailand, Singapore, Myanmar and New Zealand.

Aquino said he also offered assistance to Indonesia, which was hit by a tsunami last week. The President did not specify what sort of help he offered but Presidential Communications Secretary Ricky Carandang explained the Philippines might be sending medical practitioners.

Aquino also came to the defense of his speechwriter, Assistant Secretary Maria Carmen Mislang, after she posted rude tweets in her Twitter account.

Aquino said Mislang is young and could easily make mistakes. He also said Mislang wrote him a letter to explain what happened and apologized for her mistake.

The President said he has given instructions to Malacañang officials to always remember to watch their actions.

Mislang, who is part of Aquino's contingent to Vietnam, has come under fire for posting rude comments in her Twitter account.

While there, she posted in her Twitter account “The wine sucks” after the state banquet hosted by Vietnam President Nguyen Minh Triet in honor of Aquino.

She also tweeted: “Sorry pero walang pogi dito #vietnam.” (Sorry, there are no handsome men here.)

She also posted: “Crossing the speedy motorcycle laden streets of Hanoi is one of the easiest ways to die.”

Carandang said Mislang has been reprimanded and has voluntarily deleted her account.

He said they have also provided guidelines to Palace officials on how to handle social media.