Zarate agrees to a one-on-one meeting with Duterte

MANILA, Philippines — Rep. Carlos Zarate on Tuesday accepted the dare of President Rodrigo Duterte for a one-on-one meeting after the leader unleashed fresh tirades against the lawmaker.

Duterte, who accused Zarate of being “a hypocrite” and “a chauvinist pig,” told the congressman to take his challenge “if you are really a man.”

“If it is for the benefit of the people, I am always ready and willing to talk,” Zarate told reporters in a Viber message.

The President had accused Zarate of using “money collected by the NPA (New People’s Army)” to finance his son’s studies and travels to Europe. Zarate denied the allegations, saying the expenses for his son’s education came from “legitimate sources.” He said his only son, Xandro, went to Poland and took up philosophy at Pope John Paul II University in September 2017.

“His tuition, board, and other expenses were mainly sponsored by relatives residing abroad. His mother, a lawyer, and I also supported him within our means of income,” he said. —Nestor Corrales and Jerome Aning