Legaspi Suites, Rizal, Davao City
December 2, 2016

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte extended his heartfelt congratulations to President-elect Donald Trump of the United States of America (USA) in a congratulatory call during dinner at the Legaspi Suites, Rizal, Davao City.

President Duterte believes that President-elect Donald Trump’s battle cry to make America great again would be done during his term.

He mentioned that the ties between the Philippines and the United States would be strengthened through economic cooperation and respect for sovereignty.

As Chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2017, President Duterte invited Trump to participate in the ASEAN Summit that will be held in the Philippines next year. For his part, Trump also invited President Duterte to visit the White House in Washington D.C., USA.

The President also thanked the incoming American Chief Executive for hosting the Filipino community in the USA.

He said, “I hope that they (Filipino community) contribute to the enhancement of the American economy.”

“Your desire to bring back jobs, discourage outsourcing, and being sensitive in our worries about drugs. Thank you for wishing me well in my campaign. We are doing it as a sovereign nation the right way,” President Duterte said, citing the country’s campaign against illegal drugs.

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