Duterte to skip Trump’s inauguration

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte congratulates United States of America President-elect Donald Trump through a phone call at Legaspi Suites in Davao City on December 3, 2016. (Photo: RICHARD MADELO/Presidential Photo)

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte won’t attend U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, Malacanang said on Sunday.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said that it is not customary for a Philippine president to attend inaugurations of foreign heads of state.

“Customarily, the head of mission or the ambassador is the representative of our country. Because this is totally a domestic event, Americans will be there to celebrate the inauguration,” Andanar told state-run radio dzRB.

Duterte will be sending Andanar and National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon to Washington on his behalf.

Trump’s inauguration will be held on January 20, Friday on the West Front of the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

He will be sworn in as the 45th president of the United States.