Duterte, US envoy exchange pleasantries on Rizal Day

President Rodrigo Duterte and United States Ambassador Sung Kim exchanged pleasantries after the Rizal Day commemoration rites in Luneta on Friday.

"Thank you sharing this moment with us," Duterte told the members of the diplomatic corps including Kim who witnessed the event.

After Duterte explained to the envoys that he would have to drop by Leyte to visit bombing victims, he turned to Kim.

While it was unclear what the President said, the US Ambassador replied, "I had a wonderful visit to Davao."  

A few days ago, Duterte's daughter, Davao Mayor Sara Duterte welcomed Kim to the city.

Duterte greets the members of the diplomatic corps pic.twitter.com/MkYx38R0In

— Trisha Macas (@trishamacas) December 29, 2016

The exchange happened after a daily newspaper claimed that Kim's predecessor former US Ambassador Philip Goldberg left an ouster plan against the President.

While Duterte said that many US envoys were spies and were experts in undermining governments, National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana dismissed the so-called "Goldberg blueprint" as a hoax. —NB, GMA News