Outgoing United States (US) president Barack Obama is optimistic about the Philippines-USA relationship now that Donald Trump will be president—as he has some similarities with President Rodrigo Duterte.
Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. said that Obama had told him that Duterte and Trump appear to have “the same kind of temperament.”
“Well, he (Obama) told me he is expecting a better and stronger relationship between the Philippines and the United States under the new administration of president-elect Trump, because according to him, they seem to have the same kind of temperament,” Yasay told reporters on Monday here.
“My response to him was ‘well, I hope so,’” he added.
It was not clear when Obama relayed the message to Yasay, the Philippine Star wrote. The two, however, had opportunities to talk during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gala dinner and the traditional photo shoot of APEC leaders, events that Duterte missed because of jet lag.
Duterte has been labeled as the Philippines’ Donald Trump because both of them were known for their tough talk and their fondness for political hyperbole, qualities that catapulted them to election victories.
Duterte, for instance, has assailed the US, the European Union and the United Nations for calling him out on his anti-drug war and has threatened to wage a bloody war against criminals and the corrupt. He also slammed the Catholic Church for its supposed ‘hypocrisy’ and even asked his supporters to kill his children if they are into illegal drugs.
Trump, meanwhile, did not mince words in criticizing illegal immigrants, Muslims and journalists who are critical of him. He was more sober though after winning the elections and vowed to be the president of all Americans.
