Koko, senators in UK to strengthen ties

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III led a group of senators in a visit to strengthen ties with the United Kingdom.

Pimentel and at least seven other senators were in the UK as guests of the British group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union from Oct. 23 to 25. 

Also in the delegation were Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senators Nancy Binay, Loren Legarda, Grace Poe, Juan Edgardo Angara, Joseph Victor Ejercito and Sherwin Gatchalian.

“We are guests of the British Parliament. We will discuss the status of the Phl-UK relations and find ways on how to improve it. Government to government, people to people, trade-wise,” Pimentel said.

The senators also met with members of the Filipino community in London.

They were also expected to visit the British Parliament and meet with John Bercow, Speaker of the House of Commons, and Lord Norman Fowler, Speaker of the House of Lords.

Member of Parliament Richard Graham said in his Twitter account that he met with the Philippine Senate delegation and discussed issues on federalism, the death penalty, constitutional issues and bilateral economic cooperation. 

The group also met with Lord Jack Wilson McConnell, a member of the House of Lords, and discussed the peace process as well as the experience of UK on handling devolution issues. 

The senators’ visit came after President Duterte claimed he rejected an offer of up to $20 million in aid from the UK. The Department of Foreign Affairs, however, clarified there was no such offer.