Some solons in the Philippines reacted on Duterte’s statement on Trump “medyo pare-pareho kami”.
Militant solons in the Philippines insisted that President Rodrigo Duterte and newly elected US President Donald Trump have no similarities at all, other than making cursing and sexist remarks.
This was the comments of the lawmakers following the statement Duterte in Malaysia after congratulating Trump “medyo pare-pareho kami”, since they both have a knack for cursing and making off-the-cuff remarks.
On Thursday, Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate and ACT-Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio admitted that the two officials most of the time have a tendency to make sexist remarks.
“Pero other than that, wala akong makitang similarities. Marami silang differences,” said Zarate.
“Si Trump is an oligarch. Si Digong naman hindi galing diyan. Si Digong, malapit sa Moro and Lumad. Si Trump, he is really trampling on the rights of minorities,” said Zarate.
Zarate admitted that Duterte is more experienced than Trump in the field of governance. Duterte served as mayor of Davao City for 23 years before he ran as president.
According to Zarate, the US president might consider learning a thing or two from Duterte.
“Si Digong, kinokunsulta [ng marami]… Baka kailangang kumonsulta ni Trump kay Digong,” Zarate said.
On the other hand, Tinio, said both presidents serve different interests. The lawmaker said Trump advocates “protectionism” while Duterte pushes for stronger ties between the Philippines and China.
“Si Trump, kinakatawan niya ang interes ng US big business. Ngayon, ang itinuturing ng US na pangunahing kalaban nila is China,” said Tinio.
“Si Duterte naman…. kinakatawan niya ang interes ng naghaharing uri na may interes na palaguin ang economic and trade relations with China,” the lawmaker added.
Tinio also reiterated an earlier statement that Duterte and Trump might not come to the same position on the issue on the South China Sea.
He said that while Trump is inclined on strengthening disputed territories with presence of more of American military forces, Duterte, on the other hand, is campaigning for lesser military presence in Asia.
“Pararamihin at palalaksin pa niya [Trump] ang US military presence at naval presence para kontrahin ang Tsina. Kung pangangatawanan niya ito, posibleng magkaroon ng banggaan [sa pagitan ni Trump at Duterte],” said Tinio.