By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
SINGAPORE---President Duterte gathered his Cabinet officials on the eve of the of the 33rd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and related summits here.
Communications Secretary Martin Andanar confirmed that Duterte met with some members of his Cabinet who are also here in Singapore to talk about possible issues that may be discussed during the summit.
"We are now meeting with the president inside his room. It’s a usual mini Cabinet huddle before an international/multi-lateral meeting takes place," Andanar said.
"Possible issues that will be discussed during the multi-lateral meeting," he replied when asked about the context of the meeting.
Among the Cabinet members present during the said meeting are Andanar, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, Trade Secretary Lopez, and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III.
President Duterte arrived in Singapore via a private plane at 8:23 p.m. Monday for the three-day summit.
Duterte is set to hold bilateral meetings with a still unverified number of world leaders who are also present during the Summit, including Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Joseph Del Mar Yap said that Duterte may also have the opportunity to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and United States Vice President Mike Pence who is representing Trump for the Summit.