Aquino's Russia trip costs P15 million

THE government is spending a whopping P15.3 million for President Benigno Aquino III's trip to Russia for the 20th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Summit from September 7 to 9, Malacañang said.

Aquino and his 66-member delegation left Friday afternoon for Vladivostok, Russia, where the APEC Leaders' Meeting will be held.

His official party includes Foreign Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima, Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo, Energy Secretary Rene Almendras, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation Chairman Cristino Naguiat Jr., and Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.

Philippine Ambassador to Moscow Alejandro Mosquera, Presidential Protocol Chief and Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Miguel Perez-Rubio, and Foreign Undersecretary for International Economic Relations Laura Del Rosario are also part of the Philippine delegation.

The expenses cover accommodations, transportation, food, and equipment, among others, for the President and his official party, said Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.

The Russian Federation hosts this year's meeting of the leaders of the 21 member-economies, with the theme "Integrate to Grow, Innovate to Prosper."

Aquino is expected to participate in the Apec Business Advisory Council Dialogue, one of the highlights of this year's 20th Apec Economic Leaders' Meeting.

The Chief Executive is also expected to hold bilateral talks with other heads of states on the sidelines of the two-day leaders' meeting.

According to Foreign Undersecretary Laura Del Rosario, the Philippines is set to announce in Russia that it will host the Apec summit in 2015. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)