Vientiane, Laos – It is not only in Japan where President Duterte is being regarded like a rock star but also here in Laos’ largest city and capital where the 28th and 29th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits and Related Summits are being held. According to Presidential Communications and Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar, that even in closed-door meetings some foreign delegates eagerly take turns in having their pictures taken with the firebrand Philippine President. “I saw many of them having photos with our President,” Andanar told reporters covering the summit. In Japan, President Duterte is on a different realm of popularity as confirmed by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during his bilateral meeting with his Philippine counterpart last Tuesday. Duterte has been a regular fixture on the pages of Japanese newspapers hogging the headlines since he launched his presidential campaign until today. Socorro “Yuko” Takei, a Filipina [...]
