Even diplomats crowd new President for selfies

Even diplomats could not resist the temptation of taking selfies with the new President of the Philippines.

After exchanging niceties with President Rodrigo Duterte, members of the diplomatic corps posed with him for pictures.

At the diplomatic reception, the ambassadors dropped formality and flocked around Mr. Duterte and took pictures of themselves with the President with their smartphones or had somebody take the pictures for them.

Ambassadors from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations managed to rope in Mr. Duterte for an Asean-style family photo, that is, with the leaders linking arms crossed over their chests.

But not all the diplomats were eager to be photographed with Mr. Duterte. Some just chatted with the new President and seemed to have enjoyed it.

Among them were US Ambassador Philip Goldberg and Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorley, with whom Mr. Duterte picked a fight after they criticized his campaign joke about wanting to be the first to rape an Australian missionary who was sexually attacked and killed during a prison riot in Davao City in 1989.

Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, the papal nuncio and dean of the diplomatic corps, congratulated Mr. Duterte and wished him success during the diplomatic toast.

“We are grateful to you, Mr. President, for your kind invitation to this historic encounter and offer to the diplomatic family the possibility to greet you personally in order to strengthen the bonds of friendship and collaboration between the Philippines and the government of their countries and international organizations they represent,” Pinto said.

The Pope’s representative likened the new administration to a book that is just about to be written. The first page of the book, he said, is dated June 30, 2016, and contains the name of the new President and of all Filipinos.

“Starting today, all the women and men of this country are called to write on the blank pages of this book, engrave their aspirations and dreams, their convictions and ideas,” Pinto said.

“This book, Mr. President, contains the names of your fellow citizens to whom you, in the name of the Constitution, have pledged to be in a just and humane society and promote the common good,” he said.

In toasting the diplomats, Mr. Duterte vowed to coordinate with other countries in the pursuit of peace.

“We seek a nation living in peace and order. We shall engage the world and make a solid contribution for our stability and security,” the President said.

“To our friends and partners in the region and the world over, we look to you for support as we continue to work together for peace, security and progress,” he said.

His family broke Palace rules and went out to meet about 50 well-wishers who wanted to see the President.

Mr. Duterte’s followers arrived at Gate 5 of Malacañang on Laurel Street at 6 a.m., hoping to catch a glimpse of their “idol.”

“I just want to see our new President to wish him good luck. I also want to ask him for assistance,” said Rolando Samson, a construction worker from Quezon City.

The others said they were expecting to be given an opportunity to speak with Mr. Duterte after he took his oath of office.

Alvin Santiago, a member of a group called Digong Duterte Supporters, said he and his fellow volunteers were “instrumental” in Mr. Duterte’s landslide victory in May’s presidential election.

“I think it’s just right for President Duterte to meet us even for a few minutes,” Santiago said. “We’re willing to wait for him. We don’t care if we have to sleep on the street. He’s our idol.”

But instead of Mr. Duterte, it was the President’s family that came out at about 1 p.m. to meet his supporters, some of whom came from as far as Bukidnon and Davao provinces.

Mr. Duterte’s ex-wife Elizabeth Zimmerman, their children Sara Duterte-Carpio, the new mayor of Davao City, Paolo Duterte, the city’s new vice mayor, and Sebastian Duterte greeted and shook hands with the supporters and allowed their pictures to be taken with them.

Caught by surprise, presidential guards could not shoo the family back into the Palace but they tried to contain the overzealous President’s followers.

Asked if the President had allowed them to come out and speak to his supporters, Sara said: “No. We went out just to thank the people.”

Zimmerman said the family wanted to show its gratitude to the people who supported Duterte.

“I hope we will have a better future for our country,” Zimmerman said.