Rodrigo Duterte extends congratulations to US President-elect Donald Trump
Former President Rodrigo Duterte congratulated Donald Trump, who was elected US President on Wednesday, Nov. 6.
"Dear President-Elect Trump, I extend my warm congratulations on your election as President of the United States of America," he wrote in a letter shared on his official Facebook page.
"I hope your new mandate will bring renewed optimism and strength to the American people during these challenging times," Duterte said.
The former president, who is currently under investigation for his administration's deadly drug war, expressed well-wishes for the new administration in America and hopes for peace and prosperity for both nations.
"Please accept the assurances of my highest consideration," he ended.
Trump, a Republican, was elected the 45th president of the US in 2016. He ran again in the 2020 elections but lost to Joe Biden. He attempted to reclaim the highest position in 2024 after securing 295 electoral votes over Democratic nominee Kamala Harris' 226.
Meanwhile, 79-year-old Duterte served as the 16th president of the Philippines from 2016 to 2022. He was first elected as the mayor of Davao in 1988 and ended in 1998. He secured the post anew from 2001 to 2010 and again from 2013 to 2016. Duterte is seeking to return as Davao mayor with his son, Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, as his vice mayor.
During the Association of South-East Asian Nations Summit in 2017, Trump said he and Duterte “had a great relationship.” He also previously praised Duterte's war on drugs, saying he was doing a "great job."
He said, "I just wanted to congratulate you because I am hearing of the unbelievable job on the drug problem. Many countries have the problem, we have a problem, but what a great job you are doing."
