By Genalyn Kabiling
President Duterte is interested to attend the enthronement ceremony of Japan’s Emperor Naruhito later this month.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
(KING RODRIGUEZ / FILE PHOTO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO) The President said he should be in Japan even for half a day to witness the historic ceremony, citing the country's close relations with the Asian ally. "Japan has, well, one of the countries na talagang tumutulong sa atin. Nauuna pa. , and I --- just my personal feeling na, my sentiment that I should be there even just for a half a day," Duterte said during a press conference in Davao City upon arrival from his visit to Russia. The President however has no plan of bringing a large delegation to Japan since the invitation is limited to him. "Very lean. Tutal ako lang man siguro ang iniimbita. Hindi na ako magdala nang maraming tao ," he said. "There’s nothing to discuss there except to be a witness to the enthronement of the new Emperor," he added. The President's remarks came after Malacañang announced he would skip the enthronement ceremony due to his hectic schedule. A representative of the President might be deployed instead, according to Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo. "He has so many work to do. He might be just sending somebody there," Panelo said in a Palace press briefing last week. The formal enthronement of Emperor Naruhito will take place on October 22 before dignitaries from various countries and international organizations. The emperor ascended to the throne during a handover ceremony last May 1. The President was in Japan last May where he met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to discuss greater economic and trade cooperation. READ MORE: President Duterte leaves Manila for 4-day visit to Japan Duterte was unable to meet Japanese Emperor Naruhito during his third visit to Japan but he extended an invitation to the Japanese royal couple to visit the Philippines.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte(KING RODRIGUEZ / FILE PHOTO / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO) The President said he should be in Japan even for half a day to witness the historic ceremony, citing the country's close relations with the Asian ally. "Japan has, well, one of the countries na talagang tumutulong sa atin. Nauuna pa. , and I --- just my personal feeling na, my sentiment that I should be there even just for a half a day," Duterte said during a press conference in Davao City upon arrival from his visit to Russia. The President however has no plan of bringing a large delegation to Japan since the invitation is limited to him. "Very lean. Tutal ako lang man siguro ang iniimbita. Hindi na ako magdala nang maraming tao ," he said. "There’s nothing to discuss there except to be a witness to the enthronement of the new Emperor," he added. The President's remarks came after Malacañang announced he would skip the enthronement ceremony due to his hectic schedule. A representative of the President might be deployed instead, according to Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo. "He has so many work to do. He might be just sending somebody there," Panelo said in a Palace press briefing last week. The formal enthronement of Emperor Naruhito will take place on October 22 before dignitaries from various countries and international organizations. The emperor ascended to the throne during a handover ceremony last May 1. The President was in Japan last May where he met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to discuss greater economic and trade cooperation. READ MORE: President Duterte leaves Manila for 4-day visit to Japan Duterte was unable to meet Japanese Emperor Naruhito during his third visit to Japan but he extended an invitation to the Japanese royal couple to visit the Philippines.