Two senators belonging to the minority bloc on Monday said the scheduled meeting between United State President Barack Obama and Philippine President Gloria Arroyo would benefit the nation.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel, Jr. said the White House invitation to Mrs. Arroyo would be “good for the country” but not necessarily for the President.

“Obama’s invitation to PGMA (Arroyo’s initials) is good for the nation,” Pimentel told reporters in a text message.

“But for GMA, even if St. Peter invites her to the pearly gates, it won’t change her way of governance: massive corruption and human rights violations,” he said.

Mrs. Arroyo and Obama are expected to meet in Washington, D.C. on July 30. The Philippines has been a steadfast ally of the United States and President Arroyo is expected to bring up issues such as poverty alleviation, economic programs and counter-terrorism efforts with Obama.

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said it is imperative that both administrations should release the agenda of their meeting so the Filipinos would know whether important issues like the Veterans rights would be included.

“It is clear that the US has also interest in the Philippines particularly on economic and security issues. We hope President Arroyo will push for a Filipino agenda and not for a PGMA agenda or more directly moves to change the Constitution and keep her in office,” Cayetano said.

“She need not ask for US support only that they not object. But at what price? What do we give up?

And will the US trust PGMA after her about-face in the Iraq (conflict) and her closeness to Chinese corporations like ZTE Corp. to which she took a secret trip to?” he said.

Cayetano said that the meeting would be very “peculiar” since in this case, President Obama will be much trusted while, on the other hand, President Arroyo doesn’t not enjoy the people’s trust.

“Transparency of the visit is essential if the US wishes to gain the support of Filipinos especially because of the suspiciousness towards PGMA’s desire to remain in power even if it destroys the Philippine institution,” he said.

Meanwhile, the United Opposition (UNO) and the militant group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Monday warned that the upcoming meeting between Arroyo and Obama can pave the way for the reopening of US military bases in the country.

Citing the report of the group Focus for the Global South titled “At the Door of All the East: The Philippines in the United States Military Strategy,” UNO president and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said he is convinced that the Arroyo administration can conveniently allow the US to “ensure its economic, political and military interests in Southeast Asia” through the Philippines, in exchange for Obama’s support for the Malacanang-backed Charter Change.

“The 1986 Constitution expressly prohibits foreign military bases in the country. But with Arroyo allies’ intent on amending the Constitution, the ban can be amended to allow the US to again open military bases in the Philippines,” he said.

The report added that because of its strategic location, the Philippines is among the countries where the US wants to set up its bases, which explains why international observers have said the US is intent on increasing its presence in Southeast Asia to counter the growing influence of China.