President Rodrigo R. Duterte welcomes United States of America Ambassador Philip Goldberg and Mr. Matthew Cenzer, deputy political counselor at the Music Room in Malacañan Palace on July 19.(MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella on Thursday said the Philippines’ charge d’affaires in Washington went to the US Department of State to explain President Rodrigo Duterte’s remarks against US Ambassador Philip Goldberg.
“The explanations have been made. The explanations have been properly made,” Abella said without elaborating on how Filipino charge d’affaires Patrick Chuasoto explained the President’s statement.
Abella also dodged questions if the Philippine government apologized to the US over the said remarks.
“I’m saying that he went and explained,” he answered.
Despite what the Washington journalists called “insulting” remarks against Goldberg, Duterte in a speech delivered in Zamboanga del Sur on Wednesday reiterated that the Philippines remains a strong ally of the United States.
But Duterte stood ground on his opinion that Goldberg should have not made comments during the election period.(MNS)