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Duterte meets with Pacquiao at Malacañang


President Rodrigo Duterte met with Senator Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday night at Malacañang Palace, with Senator Bong Go calling it a "renewal of friendship" between the two.

This was confirmed by Pacquiao's camp as well as Go, Duterte’s confidant.

“It is a meeting between national leaders who discussed certain matters related to people’s interest and Mindanao development, specifically infrastructure and power industry,” Pacquiao’s staff told reporters in a Viber message Wednesday.

On the other hand, Go said it was just a “quick meeting” that was requested by Pacquiao.

“Kamustahan lang. Maikli na usapan. Renewal of friendship. Walang Politika. [Importante] nagkausap sila ni [PRRD]. Kami naman Manny, kaibigan naman kami ni kumpare,” Go said in another text message.

(It was a catch-up meeting. A short one. Renewal of friendship and there were no politics discussed. What is important is they have already talked to each other. Manny and I are still friends.)

To recall, Duterte has slammed Pacquiao several times after the senator apparently criticized the president’s stance  on the West Philippine Sea issue.

Duterte was also provoked by Pacquiao’s claim that corruption has worsened under the current administration.

Duterte had challenged the lawmaker to name corrupt officials in the government.

The president’s dare was accepted by Pacquiao, who alleged corruption in the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Health, and the Department of Energy.

In June, it was reported that Pacquiao was seeking an audience with Duterte to discuss the "simple misunderstanding" within their party, PDP-Laban.

Within the party, the faction led by Pacquiao and Senator Aquilino Pimentel III have gone against that led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, to which Duterte and Go belong. — BM, GMA News

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