President Rodrigo Duterte. INQUIRER.net photo / NESTOR CORRALES
President Rodrigo Duterte lashed out at his critics who criticized him for skipping a breakfast meeting with his counterparts from Southeast Asian countries and Australia, saying that the gathering was an “informal” event.
Duterte was referring to the Asean-Australia Informal Breakfast Summit, the first event for the Southeast Asian leaders during the second day of the 33rd summit in Singapore.
READ: Duterte skips Asean-Aus breakfast summit
According to Duterte, the breakfast was too early and he arrived in Singapore from Davao at a wee hour.
“Dumating kami doon from Davao 1:30 [a.m.], so we had to fix our things at itong mga Australyano hindi ko rin maintindihan, 8:30 [a.m.] ang invitation informal breakfast. Sabi ko sa mga sundalo bakit ako magpunta doon na unang-una hindi ako kumakain ng breakfast,” Duterte said in a speech on Friday in Papua New Guinea.
(We arrived there from Davao at 1:30 a.m., so we had to fix our things and I don’t understand these Australians [for arranging] an 8:30 a.m. invitation for an informal breakfast. I told my soldiers why should I go there firstly I don;t eat breakfast.)
“Pangalawa, informal man. Anong ipakain nila diyan sa atin informal? Kangaroo?” he added.
(Secondly, that was an informal [event]. What do you think they would feed us in that informal [event]? Kangaroo?)
Duterte also skipped five other meetings and events scheduled on Wednesday.
However, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that the chief executive has to take “power naps” and needed to recharge.
READ: Duterte ‘took power naps’ during absence in Asean events — Palace
Duterte also said that he is not fond of buffets and would choose to eat canned sardines and corned beef.
“Ang totoo talaga ako, every time, nagbabaon ako ng karne norte, tuyo at sardinas, yan lang ang kinakain ko, hindi ako pwede ng buffet. Punta kayo sa hotel ngayon, bigyan ko kayo ng karne norte,” he said.
(To tell you honestly, every time, I make it a point to bring with me corned beef, dried fish and canned sardines, these are the only stuff I eat, I am not fond of buffet. You go to the hotel now and I will give you corned beef.)
Duterte is currently in Papua New Guinea to attend the 26th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
READ: Duterte now in Papua New Guinea for APEC meet
He is scheduled to return to the country on Saturday, skipping again some of the most important events during the meeting.
He will leave the Papua New Guinea at 11:15 p.m., Saturday./jpv
READ: Duterte to skip 2nd day of Apec summit