Duterte: I can get along with Trump

Stronger relationship between the Philippines and the United States is likely to happen following President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement on Tuesday night that he has no problem with US president-elect Donald Trump.

Duterte, in a dinner he hosted for reporters in Malacanang, was asked whether he would get along well with Trump.

“Yes, I’m sure. We don’t have any quarrel,” he said.

“I can always be a friend of anybody, especially presidents, chief executive of another country. He does not call me out over my campaign about human rights,” he added.

The 71-year-old President congratulated Trump for his recent win over Hillary Clinton.

“Congratulations. It was a well-deserved victory. You are the chosen leader of the most powerful country,” he said.

Duterte earlier softened his stance against the United States the day Republican candidate Trump won as America’s 45th president.

The President also expressed optimism on the future of the Philippines-US treaties.

Duterte was hopeful that Trump would be fair in his treatment of illegal immigrants in the US.

“I trust in his judgment and that he would be fair on the matter of the placement of illegal immigrants,” he said.

“I cannot talk for the illegals. Whether president Trump or anybody else. For that matter, an illegal will always be an illegal. He is subject for deportation anytime,” he added.