INQUIRER PHOTO/JOAN BONDOC
Former president Fidel Ramos may have criticized President Rodrigo Duterte a few times but he still remained a role model to the latter.
Before reading his prepared speech at the book launch of Ramos at Camp Aguinaldo on Monday afternoon, Duterte recognized him as his number one idol and critic.
“You are my number one supporter, but at the same time you are my number one critic now,” The President said at the launch of “Make Change Work.”
“I respect your criticism. I accept your advice and maybe I will mimic your role as president before — I will follow you, just like what the shirt says,” he said.
“Only difference is that, I am not a military man. But love of country, patas tayo, sir. I would say that I love my country as much as you do, and we are ready to die for this country,” he added.
Ramos gifted Duterte with a shirt with words “Follow Me,” the motto of Fort Benning in Georgia, where he took special military courses in the past.
The former president, who was among those who convinced the former Davao City mayor to run in the 2016 elections, continued to express his support for Duterte. Frances Mangosing, INQUIRER.net