[Trending Now] DSWD Chief Reacts to Duterte Statement; Says Duterte is Open to Deal With Countries Who Will Not Treat Us As 'Little Brown Brothers'

Recently, President Rodrigo Duterte made headlines once again after saying: “I do not expect human rights, I do not expect Obama, I do not expect the EU to understand me. Do not understand me. And if you think it’s high time for you to withdraw assistance, go ahead. We will not beg for it,”

This earned different reactions among senators, other public figures and netizens

But Social Welfare and Development Secretary Judy Taguiwalo communicated the underlying messages of President Rodrigo Duterte with regards to international relationships. 

In a press conference last Tuesday, October 11, she said: "“Ang message niya (Duterte) is very clear: He doesn’t want to deal with countries who treat us as mendicants, who treat us as second [class] citizens, who treat us like little brown brothers. But he’s open to foreign relationships, to building new relationships on the basis [of] mutual benefit and non-interference in internal affairs,” 

“So far, wala pa namang nagsasabi na hindi na sila magbibigay ng tulong o babawiin na. We’re happy for that,”she said noting that no country expressed cutting ties with PH.

Source: TNP, GMA