"With the OG!"
This was how Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles described her visit to Davao City and met former President Rodrigo Duterte over the weekend.
In a Facebook post, Angeles uploaded photos of her meeting with the former president. The pictures were from Duterte's long-time aide Senator Bong Go.
Angeles did not elaborate on what she and the former President discussed on Friday, August 26, but said Duterte was in good condition.
"Maayos ang kalagayan ng ating dating Pangulo at ini-enjoy ang pagreretiro (Our former President is in good condition and is enjoying his retirement)," she said.
"Pero patuloy pa rin ang serbisyo publiko bilang isang pribadong mamamayan (However, he continues to serve the public as a private citizen)," she added.
In the photos, Angeles could be seen talking and shaking hands with Duterte. They also took a selfie and another shot with Go.
In a statement, the Palace official said President Duterte inquired about how was work in Malacañang.
"He (Former President Duterte) asked me how work was going, and I said it was going well and that the President (Marcos) is fine and in good health. He smiled, nodded, and said that is good," Angeles said.
Angeles shared that he gave Duterte a book early this year -- Nick Joaquin's "A Question of Heroes," -- because he wanted to know more about the Philippine revolution and the Katipunan. During her recent visit, she said she reminded Duterte about the book and offered to give him another one to keep him occupied during his retirement.
"I then reminded him that I had given him one book before, and if he would like, I would bring him more next time I am in town. He smiled and said yes," she said.
"He reads to keep mentally alert, talks to people, and rides his motorbike," she added.
Duterte retired from politics after his term as chief executive ended on June 30, 2022.
Angeles and Duterte are no strangers to one another. the former President appointed Angeles to the defunct Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) as a social media strategist from 2017 to 2018.