Duterte tells Ramos to continue criticizing him

President Rodrigo Duterte has given former President Fidel Ramos the license to criticize him.

At the launch of Ramos' book "Make Change Work" in Camp Aguinaldo on Monday, Duterte acknowledged the former President's opinions against his administration.

"President Fidel V. Ramos, you are my idol. You are my number one supporter and at the same time, you are [my] number one critic now," Duterte said as Ramos and the other guests laughed.

"I respect your criticism. I accept your advice," he added.

Duterte also said that he and Ramos loved the country as much as the other.

"And maybe I will mimic your role as President before, I will follow you, just like the t-shirt says, only difference is that I am not a military man," Ramos said.

"But for the love of country, patas tayo, sir. I would say that I love my country as much as you do. And we are ready to die for this country," he added.

Before ending his speech, Duterte told Ramos: "You can continue criticizing me, sir."

Duterte earlier in the day lashed out at Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales for saying in an interview that his threats to kill criminals were unacceptable. —NB/KVD, GMA News