MANILA, Philippines - While President Duterte’s favorite durian may be the most popular fruit these days, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada yesterday said it is the balimbing (star fruit) that is rising in demand due to the mad scrambling by the political opposition to get into Duterte’s administration party.
After being thrust into the limelight, the durian-eating Duterte has made Asia’s “king of fruits” quite popular, with durian tarts served during his inauguration last Thursday.
“The most expensive fruit nowadays is the balimbing, there is no supply,” Estrada said. The fruit, which has many sides, has been used to symbolize political turncoats, or politicos with many faces.
In a recent interview, Estrada was asked if the opposition, particularly the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) of which he is a founding member, is planning to regroup and realign after Duterte assumed his post.
The former president said it would take time because the opposition has been depleted.