Duterte is ‘Hall of Fame’ awardee for fostering PH-China ties

PDP Laban Chairman and former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte was awarded the Hall of Fame laureate during the 3rd Award for Promoting Philippines-China Understanding (APPCU) for his role in “re-establishment of trust relations with China, which led to the stabilization of the South China Sea issues.”

The former president was represented by former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and PDP-Laban president and Palawan Rep. Jose C. Alvarez during the awarding ceremonies at the Astoria Plaza Hotel in Pasig City. 

Rep. Alvarez said the former president put first the interest of all Filipinos in dealing with China, and that also resulted in the Asian neighbor assisting the Philippines during the Covid-19 pandemic. China was the first nation to supply Covid-19 vaccines to the country.

“Former President Duterte acted like a true father to his countrymen by seeking fruitful relations with China, and helping stabilize the situation in the South China Sea. China eventually became the country’s biggest trading partner that also benefited thousands of businesses in the Philippines,” he added.

Mr. Medialdea said in his acceptance speech for the former president that he will definitely be proud for getting the Hall of Fame laureate award.

“It is indeed a great honor coming from this great organization whose main goal is to strengthen the relationship between (the Philippines and China),” Mr. Mideldea said in accepting the award on behalf of the former president.

“I am sure former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte will always cherish this award with the thought that both countries must continue to move forward in order to achieve what is best for all its people,” he added.

A total of six awardees were honored during the Third  APPCU organized by the Association for Philippine-China Understanding (APCU). APCU chairman Raul Lambino said the six awardees gave “invaluable contributions” to advancing Philippine-China ties.

Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian, meanwhile, said mutual respect and understanding are fundamentals to attaining good bilateral relations.

“We firmly believe that upholding mutual respect and trust, cherishing good neighborliness and friendship, keeping the direction our mutual understanding and mutual accommodation in settling our differences serve as the fundamental principles in our bilateral relations,” Huang said.