PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte recently told the news organization Al Jazeera that Russian President Vladimir Putin is his idol.
“So who would make a good ally?” Al Jazeera television’s Steve Chow asked Duterte and then showed him the name Vladimir Putin.
“My idol,” Duterte said.
“Idol?” Chao said.
“Yes. He has no illusions about himself. He knows that he was not trained for politics. Or to be a statesman. He acts just like a President. My characterization of Putin is what I would describe myself.”
The video was then uploaded on Al Jazeera’s Facebook account.
Putin has been president of Russia since May 7, 2012.
He was prime minister from 1999 to 2000, president from 2000 to 2008 and again prime minister from 2008 to 2012.
He was the chairman of the ruling United Russia Party during his second term as prime minister.
During the Al Jazeera interview, Chao showed a series of cards with names on them to Duterte.
When he showed the name Hillary Clinton Duterte answered, “She’ll make a good president.”
And when he showed the name Donald Trump Duterte said, “A good candidate.”
He then showed the name “America” to which Duterte answered, “Ahem… Having my doubts.”
“Your thoughts on US-PH alliance?”
“It is good. It has been there since 1951, but I’m changing course,” Duterte said.