Duterte: It is always the interest of Filipinos that counts

Presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte. PHOTO BY BARRY OHAYLAN / CONTRIBUTOR

DAVAO CITY — Country first before friendship.

So said incoming President-elect Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday following reports that his longtime friend Pastor Apollo Quiboloy was hurt after he was  snubbed by Duterte’s camp.

READ: Quiboloy hurt in selection of Duterte’s Cabinet members

“Let me be very clear, my friendship with my friends ends where the interest of the country begins. I would as much as possible make you happy if you are my friend, but I will not allow anybody to (lend) color (to) my decisions in government. From now on, it is always the interest of the people of the Republic of the Philippines that counts, period,” Duterte told reporters in an interview here.

READ: Country’s interest is top priority – Duterte

Mike Abe, the spokesperson of Quiboloy, earlier said that the pastor has not been given access to Duterte since their last meeting which ended at 2 a.m. on May 10.

Quiboloy’s camp has  criticized Duterte’s men, saying they had set up a cordon around Duterte that left out his own spiritual adviser.

Abe said Quiboloy has not been consulted about Duterte’s appointments to his Cabinet, adding that some incoming Cabinet members were lobbied for by some politicians.

READ: Duterte camp apologizes to Quiboloy

But Duterte denied that he was being influenced by anyone in appointing his choices of Cabinet members.

“Ako lang. I never consulted anybody. I do not consult anybody. Nakikinig ako sa kanila (I  listen to them), but I decide. I do not take into consideration friendship,” he said. JE/rga