Palace mum on details of 'cordial' Duterte-Trump phone call
Published Apr 20, 2020 12:00 am
By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
Malacañang won't divulge the details of President Duterte's late-night phone conversation with United States President Donald Trump on the bilateral cooperation between the two countries to address the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
(Sen. Bong Go / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after it was reported that President Duterte talked over the phone with Trump Sunday evening, the second time the two shared a long-distance conversation since they both won the presidency.
In his Monday press briefing, Roque confirmed that Trump called Duterte to talk about the COVID-19 pandemic at 10:10 p.m. on Sunday. However, he did not disclose further details.
"It was initiated by the US government. It lasted for about 18 minutes, it was cordial. It was about bilateral coordination for COVID-19. But beyond that, I have no authority to divulge further details," he said.
He said both governments have notes and transcripts of the conversation between Duterte and Trump but said these cannot be announced to the public.
"Humihingi po ako ng inyong pag-intindi. Sa larangan ng constitutional law, itong mga diplomatic communication naman po ay exception sa (I ask for your understanding. Based on constitutional law, diplomatic communications are an exception to) freedom of information," Roque added.
The Philippines has reported 6,259 cases of COVID-19 as of Sunday afternoon while the US has confirmed 770,564 cases.
This was not the first time Duterte and Trump had a phone conversation. In April 2017, the two leaders shared a phone call to talk about the threat of North Korea's nuclear weapons when Duterte was the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
President Duterte told President Trump in 2017 that it did not want a war to break out in Asia. Trump, on the other hand, praised Duterte for doing an "unbelievable job" on the country's drug problem.
According to Malacañang, the phone call meant that Duterte is appreciated by other leaders.
"Definitely, it goes to show that the President is being recognized for his leadership in the area and I think the locals should also show better appreciation of their own President," the Palace said, referring to Duterte's role as then ASEAN chairman.
"It indicates statesmanship, that he is actually a key player in maintaining peace in the region. As the POTUS has said, the Philippines is a key right now in the region," it added.
(Sen. Bong Go / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after it was reported that President Duterte talked over the phone with Trump Sunday evening, the second time the two shared a long-distance conversation since they both won the presidency.
In his Monday press briefing, Roque confirmed that Trump called Duterte to talk about the COVID-19 pandemic at 10:10 p.m. on Sunday. However, he did not disclose further details.
"It was initiated by the US government. It lasted for about 18 minutes, it was cordial. It was about bilateral coordination for COVID-19. But beyond that, I have no authority to divulge further details," he said.
He said both governments have notes and transcripts of the conversation between Duterte and Trump but said these cannot be announced to the public.
"Humihingi po ako ng inyong pag-intindi. Sa larangan ng constitutional law, itong mga diplomatic communication naman po ay exception sa (I ask for your understanding. Based on constitutional law, diplomatic communications are an exception to) freedom of information," Roque added.
The Philippines has reported 6,259 cases of COVID-19 as of Sunday afternoon while the US has confirmed 770,564 cases.
This was not the first time Duterte and Trump had a phone conversation. In April 2017, the two leaders shared a phone call to talk about the threat of North Korea's nuclear weapons when Duterte was the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
President Duterte told President Trump in 2017 that it did not want a war to break out in Asia. Trump, on the other hand, praised Duterte for doing an "unbelievable job" on the country's drug problem.
According to Malacañang, the phone call meant that Duterte is appreciated by other leaders.
"Definitely, it goes to show that the President is being recognized for his leadership in the area and I think the locals should also show better appreciation of their own President," the Palace said, referring to Duterte's role as then ASEAN chairman.
"It indicates statesmanship, that he is actually a key player in maintaining peace in the region. As the POTUS has said, the Philippines is a key right now in the region," it added.