Brazil's Temer says Asia trip put off not due to graft probe

RIO DE JANEIRO, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian President Michel Temer's office Monday denied that his planned Asia trip was "postponed" due to the ongoing investigation into his alleged involvement in corruption.

The presidential office said the decision was due to the upcoming election calendar as the president does not want to disrupt the voting in the Congress.

As Temer does not have a vice-president, during his absence, the head of the house would officiate as interim president, and the head of the Senate is the next in line.

However, both the head of the house and the Senate are expected to run in the election and according to Brazilian electoral law, they have to vacate their offices six months before the election, which would create a vacuum if Temer leaves the country.

The presidential office also said the main bill in the Congress, which is on the budget, must be voted on by May 8. A default would lead to lots of damage to the entire economy, it said.

The president is being investigated for supposedly taking millions of dollars from businessmen in the port sector and signing a decree to benefit them. Last week, the federal police sought to have the probe extended.

The presidential office did not provide new dates for the Asia trip. Enditem