Malacañang yesterday congratulated Donald Trump on his inauguration as the 45th President of the United States.
“We congratulate the people of the United States for a successful 58th presidential inauguration,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a text message.
According to Abella, the Palace is looking forward to closely working with Trump’s administration anchored on “mutual respect, mutual benefit, and shared commitment to democratic ideals and the rule of law.”
“We wish President Trump success in the next four years of his administration,” Abella said.
Presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo also congratulated Trump on his unexpected but overwhelming victory over Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton last November.
“Congratulations Mr. Trump, it’s an unexpected but overwhelming victory for you. We hope that the administration will be a success because your success, his success, will be the success of the American people,” Panelo said.
Panelo also expressed confidence that the Philippines and United States will have a more harmonious relationship under the leadership of Duterte and Trump.
“From the body language of the two Presidents, I think there will be a harmonious relationship between the two countries,” Panelo said.
He added that the relationship between the countries would even be better compared to the previous years as Trump admires Duterte’s dedication to cleanse the country, starting with the problem in illegal drugs.
“Given the fact that the incoming President gave his admiration to the President (Duterte), I think it (relationship of two countries) will be good,” Panelo said.
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, in his Facebook page, also said that Duterte and Trump “would really get along.”
He also likened Trump to Duterte, saying the former subscribes to nationalism, non-interference, combatting drugs, and people centered programs.
Last December, Duterte revealed that he was rooting for Trump to win the US elections as the latter “does not appear hostile or antagonistic” to him.
Duterte said he liked Trump’s mouth as they talk in the same manner and because Trump indicated that Washington would be the last to interfere in Philippine affairs.
Duterte has repeatedly criticized outgoing President Barack Obama for criticizing the drug war.
(Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)
