Palace: ‘Fatherlike’ Duterte would accept Cayetano’s apology

President Rodrigo Duterte with House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano and Sen. Bong Go. File photo / ACE MORANDANTE / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Just like a “father,” President Rodrigo Duterte would accept the apology of a “son,” outgoing House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, Malacañang said Wednesday.

Cayetano apologized to Duterte for misunderstanding him when he thought that the term-sharing deal will only be effective once the budget deliberations were over.

“According to Senator Bong Go, he (Duterte) was like a father. So of course, a father would accept an apology from a son. And all is well that ends well,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview over CNN Philippines when asked if the President will accept Cayetano’s apology.

Cayetano and newly installed Speaker Lord Allan Velasco met with the President on Tuesday afternoon.

This was after Cayetano tendered his resignation from his post and Velasco’s election as the new Speaker was ratified by congressmen.

During the meeting, Duterte urged both lawmakers to work together to ensure the timely passage of the 2021 national budget.

“The President, of course, was very appreciative of the cooperation of both parties. And he appreciated the fact that Congress is focusing on the budget because that has been his call from the very beginning,” Roque said.

/MUF