The News Lens
Date: 2016/06/02
By: Edward White
Philippine President-elect Rodrigo Duterte is seen as a wildcard by many and his
Photo Credit: EPA/達志影像
moves over the coming months will send ripples across the region.
Labelled the “Trump of the East,” the former Davao City mayor has an international reputation for being both frank and opaque.
Duterte was elected with a strong majority in early May and will be sworn in on June 30. After six years of stability under outgoing President Benigno Aquino, commentators in Taipei and in Manila are now unsure what the future holds for Taiwan-Philippines relations.
Taiwan Thinktank Vice President Lai I-chung (賴怡忠) says questions on Duterte’s position on security, regional economic integration and free-trade remain unanswered.
“We do not know how he will approach the issues policy-wise,” Lai told The News Lens International. “We are still keeping a close eye on him.” [FULL STORY]
