The President is expected to arrive at 1 p.m. today at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 from her five-day trip abroad.
The President joined 20 Pacific Rim leaders at the summit on global fair trade, terrorism and avian flu from Nov. 17 to 19, Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said.
The Chief Executive also met with some overseas Filipino workers and businessmen during her weekend stay at the former British colony, Bunye said in a text message.
At the two-day APEC summit, Bunye said the President earned accolades from world leaders, including US President George W. Bush, for the country’s campaign against terrorism.
Bunye said the President’s participation in the APEC summit showcased the country’s "strong resolve to forge peace and stability not just in our domestic realm but in the Asia Pacific region as well."
"The world has given the Philippines a high mark in its capability to beat terror and the praises we reaped during the summit is something that every Filipino should be proud of," he said.
He said APEC leaders, namely Bush, President Roh Moo-hyun of Korea, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of Malaysia, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, Prime Minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan, and President Vladimir Putin of Russia were "unanimous" in praising the Philippine’s chairmanship of the APEC Counter-Terrorism Task Force.
"President Bush noted with satisfaction the strength of intelligence exchange between the Philippines and the United States, the capture of Abu Sayyaf camps and the recent conviction of the Valentine’s Day bombers in Makati City," Bunye said.
He said President Arroyo also shared with the US leader the country’s initiatives to prevent the entry of the deadly avian flu in the Philippines.
"The US President had nothing but praises for the warm welcome extended to him during his 8-hour state visit to the Philippines in October 2003. Bush has been quoted as saying, referring to another cordial reception, ‘This is as good as I got in the Philippines,’" Bunye said.
The President also had "fruitful exchanges" with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, who is expected to visit Manila next month to sign several investment and economic agreements, according to Bunye.
"Korea will be financing the Caloocan-Muntinlupa portion of the PNR (Philippines National Railway) South Rail project. Korean business is investing in or electric power plants and contributing to the electrification of our countryside. In addition, Korea is the Philippine’s most important source of tourists today," he said.
Bunye said the President also secured support from Malaysia’s Prime Minister Badaw, Brunei’s Sultan Bolkiah, and Indonesia’s President Yudhono for the Philippines government’s peace and development initiatives in Mindanao.
With Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the President discussed cooperation on anti-piracy and robbery at sea and obtained his commitment to protect the rights, welfare and safety of overseas Filipino workers in the developing Asian nation.
"Indeed, the Busan trip proved once again the strong resolve of President Gloria to drive the economy further up, build confidence, create jobs and fight poverty. Our participation in the Busan summit also showed that we are a strong player in securing fair and liberal trade for the benefit not only of Filipinos, but for a better world for all," Bunye said.
The President, alongside First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo, her children and grandchildren, strolled around the Disney’s main park attractions such as Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland.
The First Family also reportedly tried out a few park rides and watched Broadway-quality shows at the Walt Disney’s theme park, which opened two months ago in Lantau island.
The President flew to Hong Kong last Saturday evening for a private rendezvous with her family after the APEC summit summit concluded in South Korea. It was the first time since the First Family made a leisure trip abroad since the scandal implicating the President to poll fraud broke out last June.
Bunye, who is part of the President’s official delegation, said Mrs. Arroyo had a dinner with members of the Filipino business chamber upon her arrival in Hong Kong last Saturday.
Before trekking to Hong Kong Disneyland, the President and her entourage heard mass and later met with some members of the Filipino community. Mrs. Arroyo also enjoyed a concert by Filipino performers at the Hong Kong Cultural Center, Bunye said.
