MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Saturday said the visit this week of a delegation from the United States Congress led by former Republican candidate Sen. John McCain of Arizona this week is "more of continuing the ties that we have developed with the United States in the past years."

Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the visit is not related to the approaching 2012 US presidential poll.

"I think it has nothing to do with the election in the US," Valte said in an interview on dzRB.

The US Embassy in Manila last Friday announced the visit of the US lawmakers from January 17 to 20 ahead of scheduled meetings between senior government officials of the two countries and the 2nd Philippine-US Strategic Dialogue to be held in Manila. McCain's group may also call on President Aquino during the visit.

The American legislators reportedly will meet with senior Philippine government officials to discuss issues that include the West Philippine Sea dispute, terrorism, security, and human trafficking.

McCain had supported the Philippines’ call for the US to step up efforts in backing Southeast Asian countries on the issue of sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.

He lost to Democratic Party candidate Barack Obama in the November 2008 presidential election.

President Benigno S. Aquino III and Obama will be meeting at the White House in May or June, US Ambassador Harry Thomas said last Friday.