President Aquino offers assistance to Duterte; asks Filipinos to help address PHL problems

In a media interview, President Aquino said his phone conversation with Duterte on Thursday was “pleasant.” (Photo: Joseph Vidal/ Malacañang Photo Bureau)

MANILA – President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Friday he congratulated his successor, President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, and offered his assistance during the transition period and even beyond his term.

In a media interview, President Aquino said his phone conversation with Duterte on Thursday was “pleasant.”

“We had a conversation, perhaps a short conversation, about a minute or so, wherein I congratulated him. I think we asked each other how we were and I reiterated the offer to be of assistance, in any and every manner that they need it,” he said.

The President believed that Duterte was “elated” over his offer of assistance.

“Parang ikinatuwa naman, hindi naman tinanggihan at parang pinasalamatan ‘yung alok natin na sabi ko: Kung anong maitutulong ho namin sa inyo ngayon o sa transition at saka pagkatapos, para hindi na kailangan, parang reinvent the wheel kumbaga,” he said.

President Aquino also bared that during the visit of Duterte’s staff members in Malacanang on Thursday, his Cabinet shared some of their experiences in the past six years in office.

“We went through Malacañang to show them the physical layout and then we proceeded to Malacañang Park, showed them Bahay Pangarap and various facilities within Malacañang Park and that’s where they got in touch with President-elect Duterte,” he said.

The Chief Executive also called on the Filipino people to help the incoming administration as the country moves along “the path of advancement.”

“…Every patriot should be looking towards helping the incoming administration address the problems that are still here and the forthcoming problems that undoubtedly will happen in this period of parang global challenges,” he said.