(Eagle News)– Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay on Monday (September 12) revealed that the ‘rock star’ description for President Rodrigo Duterte came from Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
“‘Yan ay nanggaling mismo kay Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. Doon sa kanilang pag-uusap ay binanggit ni Prime Minister Abe na si Presidente Duterte ay isang rock star, hindi lang sa Japan kundi sa buong mundo,” Yasay said in an interview.
According to Yasay, Abe said that he was “envious” of Duterte.
Last week, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar described Duterte as a rock star due to “foreign ministers and delegates ave scrambled to get a selfie with our President” at the ASEAN summit.
Yasay added that Duterte received praises during the summit, which proves that the international community is not swept by the criticisms against the President.
“Nami-meet siya ng mga ASEAN leader at talagang pinuri siya. Dito niya napahayag ang kanyang pet projects in government toward change, including the fight against illegal drugs. Ito ay very significant dahil lahat ng sinasabi laban kay Pangulong Duterte in the domestic front ay hindi ho tumatalab sa international community.”