DAVAO CITY—President Rodrigo Duterte described former President Fidel V. Ramos, the person who inspired him to seek the presidency, as an “American boy,” shortly after accepting his resignation as the country’s special envoy to China.
In an interview after paying respects to his parents at a cemetery here, Duterte said his mentor failed to understand that his expletive-laced tirades on the United States were in defense of the country’s dignity.
“For me, it is matter of honor. We didn’t understand each other about that,” Duterte said of Ramos.
“It is all right for America to criticize me on the extrajudicial killings but there are many policemen who are dying every day…. Everybody should realize that,” the President said.
Duterte said that while he understood why the “pro-Western” Ramos urged him not to veer away from America, but he said he would not change his already sour attitude towards the country’s long-term ally.
“I know [FVR] is pro-American. He’s a product of western education—he’s graduate of West Point. Me? I am just a local boy,” Duterte said.
“He really didn’t want to fight. That’s Ramos. I’m different,” he added.
Duterte said America’s rude treatment of him was nothing to Ramos, but for he felt he was treated like a dog on a leash, being given food only if it follows orders.
“If they can swallow it, fine. The problem is, he’s not the President anymore. It’s me,” he said.
Despite their differences, Duterte said he was thankful for Ramos’ contributions to his administration, and he still saw him as a valued adviser.
“I will still consult with [Ramos] in the future. Yes of course, if he cares to listen. It doesn’t mean that if he resigns as special envoy, I won’t be consulting him,” Duterte said.
On Monday, Ramos resigned as the country’s special envoy to China shortly after criticizing Duterte’s repeated tirades against the United States and an apparent tilt towards China.
The country’s oldest living ex-President said his job to break the ice and to help restore the ties of goodwill and friendship with China was done.
Ramos, whom Duterte credits for handing him the presidency, in a series of newspaper columns said that the government was “losing badly” by prioritizing the war on drugs at the expense of issues such as poverty, living costs, foreign investment and jobs—calling it a “huge disappointment and letdown.”
Sources had earlier told the Manila Standard that Duterte canceled Ramos’ China trip after he advised the incumbent President not to push through with the trip to China if they do not comply with certain conditions.
Instead of heeding Ramos’ advice, Duterte personally took control of talks with Chinese officials.
A week later, Ramos compared the Philippines under “skipper” Duterte to a leaky and slow-moving ship due to internal strife and disunity.
In a third piece, Ramos urged Duterte to refrain from trying to impress by saying too much.
His fourth and latest column called on the President to approve the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and said the President’s diatribes were like “shooting himself in the mouth.”
In his resignation, Ramos said he believed that he, as special envoy, played “a modest but productive role in the breaking of the ice” that led to Duterte’s successful state visit to China.
Despite the apparent rift, Duterte said that he would still heed Ramos’ advice but he maintained that he has his own way of assessing things.
The President thanked Ramos, 88, for his service to the country.
“I’d like to thank him for helping me and being of the service to the nation even at his age,” he added.
