Singapore envoy sees Lee Kuan Yew’s political will in Duterte

Singaporean Ambassador Kok Li Peng on Tuesday compared President Rodrigo Duterte to the late former Singaporean Prime Minister  and elder statesman Lee Kuan Yew, saying both men had stood out in terms of political will.

"I think both men have been characterized as doers. I think that's a good description of how they're driving their respective agendas. Singapore benefited well under his leadership, in which the Philippines will under the President's leadership as well," Kok said in a forum in Quezon City.

Ongoing forum with Singapore's ambassador to the Philippines Kok Li Peng. pic.twitter.com/SkfVqw8DLD

— Marlly Bondoc (@marllybondoc) March 21, 2017

Although the ambassador noted that both men were leaders in different eras and have faced divergent challenges.

"They were in leadership positions at different times. I think the challenges the late prime minister faced were quite different with the challenges the President is facing today. But I think both equally possess a political will and determination," Kok said.

"The president has assembled experienced team of people around him. His plate is full, his agenda is full. And I think that this team is gonna help him push him through," she added.

Kok also said that she witnessed Duterte's "magnetic appeal" and charisma went he on a state visit in Singapore last December 2016.

Lee Kuan Yew was Singapore's founding father and prime minister for three decades.

Lee's leadership was seen as a model for developing countries around the world, particularly raising the status of Singapore from "third world to first world country." He died on March 2015 after suffering from pneumonia.  —NB, GMA News