Duterte congratulates Trump, looks forward to enhanced PHL-US relations

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday congratulated United States President-elect Donald Trump for winning the elections.

"President Rodrigo Roa Duterte wishes to extend his warm congratulations to Mr. Donald Trump on his recent electoral victory as President of the United States of America," Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement.

"The United States presidential election is a testament to the enduring traditions of its democratic system and the American way of life. The two-party system gives American voters freedom of choice based on party platforms, not just on personalities," he also wrote.

Andanar also said that Duterte looks forward to working with the incoming Trump administration.

"President Duterte wishes President-elect Trump success in the next four years as Chief Executive and commander-in[-]chief of the U.S. military, and looks forward to working with the incoming administration for enhanced Philippines-US relations anchored on mutual respect, mutual benefit and shared commitment to democratic ideals and the rule of law," he wrote.

During the campaign, Trump had said Duterte's tirades against the US showed "a lack of respect for our country."

Duterte had said he is separating the Philippines from its military and economic alliance with the US. —ALG, GMA News