Palace: Duterte to speak with Trump over phone
President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to have a phone conversation with United States President-elect Donald Trump on Friday night, Malacañang said.
This was confirmed by Communications Assistant Secretary Marie Banaag in a Palace briefieng.
The two leaders will talk over the phone at 10:30 p.m.
Duterte has repeatedly slammed the US for intervening in Philippine domestic affairs, particularly on his brutal war on illegal drugs.
But after Trump’s win over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, Duterte softened his stance, saying “I don’t want to quarrel anymore” with the US.
READ: Duterte softens stance on US, tells Trump: ‘Mabuhay ka’
Duterte even compared himself to Trump, saying they are both “foul-mouthed.”
“We are both foul-mouthed. We curse even the smallest things,” he earlier said.
Malacañang has said that Duterte “looks forward to working with the incoming administration for enhanced Philippines-US relations anchored on mutual respect, mutual benefit and shared commitment to democratic ideals and the rule of law.” CDG/rga
