A "Free" Trip?

I have just read a news story in Inquirer this morning about the scheduled meeting of President Gloria Arroyo with Pope Benedict XVI in Vatican on June 26. It was clearly written in the story that it is not only the President who will meet the pope but fifty-five (55) other people including the first family will also travel with her. These 55-member delegation that will accompany Ms Arroyo on her trip is composed of different Cabinet members and Department executives. And not only that, some of them will be bringing their spouses along. Upon reading this news, several questions popped in my mind. These questions that bother me include 1) Why are they too many in such a one-week trip to Europe? 2) If the trip is for business, why do some delegates bring their spouse with them? 3) Where will they get the money for expenses?

The number of President Arroyo's delegation really bothered me. They are too many for a trip like that. And most probably, these people are not that important in the said meeting. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said that these delegates just wanted to see the Pope in Vatican. For me, this reason is not acceptable, not valid. It is too personal. They just want to see the Pope and spend big amount of money for it? And whose money are they going to use?

Ermita said that the members of the executive branch are entitled with travel expenses and allowances. The others' expenses,according to him, will be charged to the funds of their respective agencies. With this statement, it is clear that the money to be used is not from the pocket of each delegates. I think it will come from the money of the people- their taxes. I'm sure these delegates have their big smile on their faces knowing that they will not spend a cent in their trip. For them it's "free". But did they even thought of the country's status nowadays? Why spend that big amount of money for personal intentions--for pleasure, when we all know that our country is experiencing economic crisis. Why couldn't these people see this?...Why couldn't President Arroyo see this?