Martinez leaves for U.S., misses meeting with PNoy
  • 5 years ago
Michael Christian Nartinez prior his departure at NAIA Terminal 2. Photo by Raoul Esperas MANILA, Philippines – Olympic figure skater Michael Christian Martinez again missed the opportunity to meet President Benigno Aquino III. Martinez and his mother, Teresa, departed for Los Angeles, California Thursday onboard Philippine Airlines flight PR 428 bound for the United States via Narita, Japan. Martinez, in an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News, expressed his gratitude for the support and attention that he and his family received following his stint at the Sochi Winter Olympics in Russia. “Sobra-sobra po akong nagpapasalamat sa lahat po ng tao na nag-dasal at sumusuporta,” said Martinez. Martinez will resume his training in Los Angeles for the upcoming World Junior Championships in Bulgaria. Martinez also revealed that their coordinator tried to get an audience with Aquino, but again got a negative response. “Busy daw po si Pangulong Noynoy Aquino,” said Martinez, but could not identify the coordinator who relayed the information that the President could not accommodate them in his schedule. Martinez returned to Manila last Sunday and had a whirlwind past couple of days, visiting his hometown of Muntinlupa and making a courtesy call at the Senate and the House of Representatives. Teresa Martinez had written a letter to the President seeking financial help for her son, but the letter was not attended to. Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma theorized that her letter may have gone to the spam folder. Martinez and his mother boarded their flight around 9:33 a.m. at Gate 42 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal. Aquino, meanwhile, is bound for Malaysia at around 11:30 a.m. at Gate 49 of NAIA Termina 2. -- Report from Raoul Esperas