Duterte sings; Cesar Montano, Philip Salvador perform for free for Pinoys in Russia

President Rodrigo Duterte met with Filipinos in Russia on Saturday and even sang a duet with one of them.

Holding a woman's hand, Duterte sang "Ikaw" to the delight of the audience, according to a tweet by GMA News' Sandra Aguinaldo.

President Duterte sings the customary “Ikaw” song with a Filipina based in Russia. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/45k8KkZ6jN

— sandra aguinaldo (@sandraguinaldo) October 5, 2019

The event was part of Duterte's itinerary during his five-day official trip to Russia.

Actors Cesar Montano and Philip Salvador also entertained the Filipinos at the same event but clarified they were doing it for free.

"Wala po kaming bayad," Montano told the crowd, according to a tweet by GMA News' Sandra Aguinaldo.

Actors Cesar Montano and Philip Salvador perform before Filipino community in Russia. “Wala po kaming bayad,” Montano told the crowd. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/SYQHVQXeLU

— sandra aguinaldo (@sandraguinaldo) October 5, 2019

Montano used to be the chief operating officer of the Tourism Promotions Board but he quit following a controversy regarding TPB's P80-million funding for the Buhay Carinderia culinary tourism project. 

Salvador meanwhile has long been a supporter of Duterte and even called on the President's critics to drop dead. 

Filipino celebrities who are in Russia during Duterte's visit are his "rabid" fans and have not been paid to be there, Malacañang said Thursday.

“With regard to the showbiz people who are here, as far as I know, when they entertain the Filipino community while waiting for the arrival of the President, they are not paid,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

The Philippine Embassy in Russia said the Philippine Madrigal Singers and the Bayanihan Dance Troupe were also scheduled to perform at the event at the Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy (VDNKh) in Moscow. —KG, GMA News