Duterte flies home from Jordan a day early 'to save costs'

AMMAN – President Duterte cut short his official visit here to save on costs and to be with his family, Malacañang said Friday.

Duterte was supposed to depart for the Philippines on Saturday but he decided to do so Friday.

Roque said there was no special reason for the earlier-than-scheduled departure but noted that a shorter visit means less costs. He also admitted that the week-long visit to Israel and Jordan was tiresome for the 73-year-old president.

"One day shorter means one day less expense for the tax payers. Why not?" Roque said in a press briefing here.

"Of course, we are all very tired. The president is very tired. But if it means being with his family a day earlier and sparing taxpayers from another day of expense, he decided to come home earlier," he added.

Roque said the trip was cut short without cancelling any engagement.

Duterte met with King Abdullah II last Thursday and was shown Jordanian military hardware.

"There is no decision yet on whether the government will buy. So we just saw what was available in the market. And I think the decision what to buy will be left to the top brass of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police," Roque said.

Before flying for Davao City, Duterte met with the members of the Filipino community here. He is expected to arrive in the country Saturday morning.