SOLON, ERMITA SET FOREIGN TRIPS

People’s Journal – Jester Manalastas

Amid a looming rice crisis and food security problem, 11 congressmen and nine senators will leave for Cape Town, South Africa this week attend the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

A delegate who requested not to be named said other lawmakers consider the opportunity as another junket trip.

People’s Journal learned that some solons are bringing with them their wives and husbands.
Ousted Speaker Jose de Venecia is bringing with him his wife Gina de Venecia.

Other delegates are Zamboanga del Sur Antonio Cerilles, Negros Occidental Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson, Zambales Rep. Ma. Milagros Magsaysay, Cavite Rep. Crispin Remulla, Nueva Vizcaya Rep. Carlos Padilla, Bulacan Rep. Reylina Nicolas, Cebu Rep. Eduardo Gullas and North Cotabato Rep. Lala Talino-Mendoza.

The spouses joining the teams are Gov. Aurora Cerilles, Ma. Josefina Remulla, Norma Gullas and lawyer Raymond Democrito Mendoa. Las Pinas Rep. Cynthia Villar and Taguig-Pateros Rep. Lani Cayetano will also go with their husbands.

Other delegates are Sen. Panfilo Lacson with his staff; Sen. Francis Pangilinan, Sen. Pia Cayetano and staff; Sen. Nene Pimentel and spouse; Sen Jinggoy Estrada and spouse; Sen. Bong Revilla and spouse; and Sen. Francis Escudero and spouse.

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino and Gabirella Rep. Liza Maza are also attending the conference set from April 13 to 18 on an invitation basis.

The delegation will stay at a $199 per day room at the Southern Sun Water-front Hotel, except for De Venecia and the senators who are billeted at the Mandela Hotel and Holiday Inn.

Meanwhile, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita also leads a government panel to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland for a “full scrutiny” of the country’s human rights situation under the Universal Periodic Review.

Ermita said the Philippines, which is number 10 in the list of the first batch for review, will be considered tomorrow during the afternoon session of the UN Human Rights Council.