Arroyo Cancels European Tour to Focus on Peace, Budget Problems

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, August 27, 2002

Arroyo Cancels European Tour to Focus on Peace, Budget Problems

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has canceled her visit to Spain, Italy, and Denmark scheduled on Sept. 16-25 so that she could focus on peace and order and the budget deficit.

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Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has canceled her visit to Spain, Italy, and Denmark scheduled on Sept. 16-25 so that she could focus on peace and order and the budget deficit.

"While I firmly believe in the importance of personally carrying out the message of trade, investment, and other opportunities in the Philippines to international audiences, as president, my priority is always where I am needed the most," the Manila Bulletin on-line news on Tuesday quoted Arroyo as saying inan official statement.

"There has been a number of developments, namely on the fiscal and peace and order fronts, that require my continued stewardships," she said, stressing that she wants to ensure that her economic plan remains on track.

Arroyo said she looks forward to visiting the partners in Europe "at a later date." She expected to meet heads of state whenshe attends the Asia-Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) Summit slated in Mexico in October this year.

With a ballooning budget deficit, Arroyo said she will have to ensure the continued implementation of tax collection reform measures and the drastic reductions in the government expendituresfor this year.

The president said she also felt the need to follow through theinitial victories the government had won in the fight against the Abu Sayyaf and other kidnap-for-ransom syndicates in the country, particularly in Mindanao.

Earlier, some lawmakers criticized the three-nation trip planned to take place at a time when the country is facing a huge budget deficit and a worsening peace and order problem.

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