PRESIDENT RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE’S REMARKS
DURING THE OFFICIAL DINNER HOSTED BY
PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE
Prime Minister’s Office, Tokyo, Japan
30 October 2017
Your Excellency Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Madame Akie Abe, Foreign Minister Taro Kono, distinguished members of the Japanese and Philippine Delegations; ladies and gentlemen.
I am truly honored and humbled to join you this evening.
While this is my second Official Visit to Tokyo, I must tell you that my personal interest and excitement over this trip has not diminished.
I thank Prime Minister Abe and Madame Akie Abe for hosting this evening’s reunion between friends.
Over excellent food and even better company, we have this opportunity tonight to look back not only to the most productive day but also to consider the many things we have accomplished together to advance the Philippines and Japan Strategic Partnership since 2016.
I will skip two pages of my prepared speech and go to the last page because I am hungry. (laughter)
Suffice it to say that this frequency of interaction is friendship that goes beyond official lines.
It is a friendship and is held dearly and valued so much more than words can describe.
Excellency, I will strive to keep that friendship, amity and cooperation between us, our nations and our peoples going from strength to further strength.
On this note, I wish to invite your Excellency and everyone to join me in a toast: to the continued good health and happiness of His Majesty Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko; to the continued success and good health of Your Excellency Prime Minister Shinzo Abe; to the peace and prosperity of the Japanese people; and to the enduring camaraderie and harmony between the Philippines and Japan.
Mabuhay!
I am going to change my writer. He is a book author not a speechwriter. He delayed my dinner. (laughter and applause)
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