Hillary or Trump? Rody picks ‘hero’ Putin

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – With Russian President Vladimir Putin as his “favorite hero,” President Duterte said he would “not gamble an answer” when asked to choose who between US presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump he would be willing to work with.

“I cannot gamble an answer. Because either way, it would affect, you know, they might create a hostility, antagonism here. So I am better off in saying that my favorite hero is Putin,” the President said upon arrival at the Davao International Airport over the weekend from his state visits to Brunei Darussalam and China.

He said Russia has been very supportive of his administration and has signified its interest to extend assistance.

“Now, for example, Russia came out with a statement that, there’s mention here that I had a talk with (Prime Minister Dimitry) Medvedev and they are ready to extend any and all assistance. So that if I would like to have an atomic bomb and if it is given to us, I will bring it here,” Duterte said.

“That is what it means but I would like to thank Russia for understanding us. My problem – and they know also that how hard I am in dealing with the economic stress of my country,” the President said.

“And for them it was a very nice human gesture. To the Russian Republic, salamat po (thank you),” the President added.

Without choosing between Clinton and Trump, Duterte said people might find him and Trump sharing the same position on some “valid” issues.