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We wonder why the request was withdrawn.
“In a press briefing on Friday, April 10, Deputy Presidential Abigail Valte dispelled rumors that the Palace did not grant billionaire-philanthropist Bill Gates a chance to pay a courtesy call to President Noynoy Aquino,” reports Louis Bacani on Philstar.com.
According to Valte, “the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation actually had a request for a courtesy call to the president, but it was withdrawn.”
Valte stated, “I can tell you that the foundation sent a request for a courtesy call sometime in November 2014 but it was withdrawn. So it’s not that hindi siya pinansin or anything.”
The report noted: “Various reports said the Microsoft co-founder arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on April 4 and boarded a private plane headed for Amanpulo Resort in Palawan. He then also reportedly visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in Los Baños, Laguna on Wednesday morning, April 8.”
Here the interesting part: “Neither Microsoft Philippines nor IRRI officials would confirm Gates’ presence in the country, the STAR reported. The Palace is still trying to verify reports on Gates’ visit.”
