Melia Lima Hotel, Peru
November 20, 2016

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte summed up his debut in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) as ‘productive and very informative’ during a press conference at the Melia Lima Hotel following the culmination of this year’s 24th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in Lima, Peru.

“It was a productive one, very informative for me being a first-timer in this kind of meeting,” he said.

According to the President, the Russian Federation and China, together with Vietnam, were the most eager countries to share knowledge and technology with the Philippines during the AELM Retreat 2 that the President was able to attend. It carried the theme: “Food Security, Climate Change Adaptation and Access to Water” and “Integrating the Asia-Pacific Towards a Real and Functional Connectivity in the Region.”

On his bilateral talks with China and the Russian Federation, the Chief Executive said he had an immediate rapport with President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin, likening it to being old friends. He added that during the AELM Retreat 2, President Putin invited him four times to visit Russia, wherein he said he would but not in winter when it is cold.

The President also made an announcement directing the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) officials to resign from their posts. This comes after a corruption controversy erupted that involved the suicide of an ERC colleague who faced tremendous pressure to carry out corrupt activities.

“They must resign. I have options: file a case against them all or demand that no money will be appropriated,” President Duterte said.

Moreover, he would ask Congress to ‘disband’ or ‘reorganize’ the ERC, and to file charges against the erring officials.

After his AELM attendance in Lima, Peru, the President will be flying to Auckland, New Zealand before heading back to the Philippines.

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