Pompeo notes Duterte’s Trump-like style, ‘2 wives’

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Which president is known for his controversial policies and habit of cursing?

If you ask US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the answer could be both US President Donald Trump and President Duterte.

In his remarks during his courtesy call on President Duterte on Thursday night at Villamor Air Base, Pompeo noted the similarities between the two heads of state, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo recalled.

“I remember President [Duterte] talking about what he’s doing for this country, including his controversial policies and his cursing, and [the] secretary of state (Pompeo) said, ‘You’re just like our president!’ We all laughed,” Panelo said.

According to the Malacañang official, Pompeo compared Duterte’s style to that of Trump. “Maybe the style of the President is that he is frank, does not favor anyone and can go against anyone. Isn’t Mr. Trump like that, too?” Panelo quoted Pompeo as saying.

Panelo noted that Pompeo was “very fond” of the President, and even referred to the women Duterte’s life in connection with Trump’s invitation for him to visit the United States.

Protocol assured

“No there was no definite acceptance of the invitation,” Panelo said, but the President and Pompeo had joked about how to arrange the US trip, given that Duterte has two “wives”—his ex-wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman, and his current partner, Honeylet Avanceña.

“I think I heard the secretary of state say, ‘We’ll make sure that there will be protocol in meeting these two wives.’ Something like that,” Panelo said.

Duterte has a good relationship with Trump, who visited the country in 2017 for the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and related summits.

By special request

The President even sang “Ikaw,” a favorite song, upon Trump’s request after the US president heard the former humming the tune during the Asean gala dinner.

Duterte’s possible visit to the United States was last broached following the return of the historic Balangiga bells from the United States to Samar last year.

The President previously demanded the return of the bells as a condition before he agrees to accept Trump’s invitation.

Panelo said Mr. Duterte was apprehensive about flying to the United States because of the long flight and the colder temperature there.