Outgoing United States President Barack Obama sees improved diplomatic ties between the United States and the Philippines once US President-elect Donald Trump assumes his post in January next year.
“They have the same kind of temper,” Obama told Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay during the gala dinner for heads of state who attended the APEC Economic Leaders’ Summit in Lima, Peru.
In an ambush interview, Yasay recalled, ‘sabi sa akin (‘he told me’ referring to Obama), he is expecting a better relationship between the Philippines and the United States.”
Yasay further said, “there will be a re-evaluation” in the partnership of the two countries.
He emphasized that change will happen wherein “dependency won’t be allowed.”
Duterte did not attend the gala dinner.
Heads of state have now left Peru.
From Lima, Duterte is proceeding to New Zealand for a brief visit before returning to the Philippines.