Press Release
September 6, 2016

Statement of Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin M. Drilon on the cancellation of the meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and US President Barack Obama

"Talk about starting off on the wrong foot."

This was the initial reaction of Senate President Pro-Tempore Franklin M. Drilon on the cancellation of the meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and US President Barack Obama.

The scheduled meeting between President Rodrigo Duterte and US President Barack Obama would have been an opportunity for the two heads of states to know each other on a personal level.

It is unfortunate that such meeting did not push through because of unnecessary rhetoric over human rights issues.

We must remember that our foreign policy is shaped in accordance with our national interest. Unfriendly rhetoric and undiplomatic statements will not bring us anywhere.

We should maintain our relations with the US as a strong treaty ally that have been built over decades.

I am hopeful that the long-standing relationship between the two nations will remain to endure and that both leaders will have other opportunities of meeting again under a more confortable and friendly circumstances.

There is no doubt that the relations between the Philippines and the United States remain strong, and continue to be anchored on mutual respect and cooperation.

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