Outgoing President Duterte on Wednesday, May 25, welcomed and received the credentials from four ambassador designates of Greece, Argentina, Cambodia, and Indonesia.
During a ceremony in Malacañang, the President, who will be stepping down on June 30, accepted the credentials of Phan Peuv of Cambodia, Agus Widjojo of Indonesia, Ricardo Luis Bocalandro of Argentina, or officially Argentine Republic, and Ioannis Pediotis of Greece, or officially Hellenic Republic.
Widjojo noted Indonesia’s and the Philippines’ alliance for over seven decades because the two countries share the “same interests and values based on mutual respect.”
In particular, the envoy mentioned the developments in the countries’ cooperation on renewable energy and the Indonesian businesses investing in the country.
Widjojo touted the Duterte administration’s Build, Build, Build project because Indonesia’s private and government enterprises participated in the flagship infrastructure development projects.
As for Duterte, he described Indonesia as a “natural ally” because of the shared interest to see peace and stability in the Southeast Asian region.
Like the Philippines, Jakarta is also a claimant to the contested resource-rich West Philippine Sea, where China has increased activities in recent years.
During his speech, Cambodia’s Peuv noted the good bilateral relations between the countries, which are set to celebrate 65 years of diplomatic affairs.
Duterte expressed hope for the “growing engagement” between Manila and Phnom Penh.
With their “common Hispanic roots,” Bocalandro said he wants to deepen the relationship between the Philippines and Argentina.
Duterte responded by thanking the envoy for the “good treatment” of Filipinos residing in Argentina.