(CNN)Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte called the US ambassador to his country a "gay son of a bitch" in a speech, prompting US diplomats to raise the issue with their Filipino counterparts in Washington.
Recounting Secretary of State John Kerry's visit to the country, Duterte, speaking Tagalog, said that he was feuding with US Ambassador Philip Goldberg.
"I was with (Incoming defense chief General) Delfin Lorenzana. We talked to Kerry, he was actually OK because I had a fight with his ambassador. I told him: 'your ambassador is a gay son of a bitch.'""I was annoyed at him, for interfering in the elections, giving statements here and there. He wasn't supposed to do that."He also called Kerry "crazy" and suggested that he "offend" him more to get more aid."Kerry came here, we had a meal, and he left me and Delfin $33 million. I said, OK, maybe we should offend them more, so this crazy will just give more money, just to make peace. So, it's all about the money."Duterte's comments came as he addressed troops at the country's Armed Forces Central Command Headquarters on August 5. – cnn.com
Barack Obama has nominated special representative for North Korea policy Sung Kim to be the next U.S. ambassador to the Philippines, according to a White House press statement.
Kim was one of seven individuals nominated by Obama to key administration posts on Thursday (May 19), the statement said.
“I am pleased to announce that these experienced and committed individuals have decided to serve our country. I look forward to working with them,” said Obama, who also nominated ambassadors to Greece, Iraq, Ukraine, Burundi and Laos.
The U.S. Senate has to confirm Kim's appointment before he can replace current U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg, who was assigned to Manila in December 2013. – cnnphillipines.com
h/t: cnn.com