Duterte, Singapore president meet in Malacañang

President Rodrigo Duterte and Singapore’s President Halimah Yacob met in Malacañang on Monday as both countries celebrated the 50th year of the establishment of bilateral relations.

Duterte welcomed Halimah inside the Palace as the outdoor ceremony was scrapped due to rain.

The two leaders then held a bilateral meeting which was expected to focus on issues of mutual interest and to further political, economic, cultural and people-to-people engagement, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Before meeting Duterte in Malacañang, Halimah laid a wreath at the monument of Jose Rizal in Luneta Park, Manila.

Halimah’s September 8 to 12 visit to the Philippines is at the invitation of Duterte.

She is also expected to attend a luncheon with the Philippines-Singapore Business Council in Manila and travel to Davao City, Duterte’s hometown, to visit the Philippine Eagle Center and hold a dialogue with Mindanao youth.

Halimah became president, a largely ceremonial post in Singapore, in 2017. —KBK, GMA News