Palace: Duterte knows how to handle situations

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella defends President Rodrigo Duterte, says he knows how to handle things. PPD/Robinson Niñal, file

MANILA, Philippines — In response to advice from an ally for President Rodrigo Duterte to tone down his language, a Palace spokesperson said Tuesday that the president knows how to handle situations.

"He's a person after his own heart, and he knows how to handle situations," Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a press briefing at the Palace.

At a Senate hearing on Monday, Sen. Richard Gordon, who said he is a good friend of the president, said Duterte's statements can be a stumbling block for the government's war on drugs.

"Tama lang na ipakita niya na galit siya sa droga. Pero wag na siya mag ingay na 'Papatayin kita,' 'I will kill you,' hindi tama yan," Gordon said.

Abella said that despite numerous suggestions from other allies, the president might not cut back on his interaction with the media. Duterte has been making the rounds of police and military camps to give speeches and meet the men and women of the country's security forces. The televised speeches sometimes include statements that the president has admitted may not be statesmanlike.

"I am just a small town mayor, my mouth is rural. I never took a course on statesmanship, and I do not intend to be one," he said in a speech in September. Some of Duterte's statements have had to be clarified by spokespersons, who said the president's words had been taken out of context.

"Sinasabi lang natin na here is a very unique president, he's a very unique person," Abella said.
"You know, John Kenneth Galbraith says that when the situation changes, he will change his mind and he will change his attitude," Abella added, referring to a Canadian economist and public official.
Meanwhile, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry president George Barcelon said that, in his observation, the president is able to handle comments and suggestions.

"The two letter Hs that come to mind: He's humble and he's honest," Barcelon said.

He also added that the most important thing is that the president has his heart in the right place.
Barcelon had earlier disputed reports that foreign investors are wary of putting money in the Philippines because of a perceived rise in drug-related killings since July.
“We would not want to jump to conclusion on this issue,” he said then.