Trump sends Duterte his regards through Miss Universe exec

MANILA, Philippines — He was prim and proper during the visit of Miss Universe candidates last Monday but President Rodrigo Duterte was back to his old self on Tuesday when he declared that he prefers Filipina women over other nationalities because they are beautiful and fragrant.

It all started when Duterte told families of the 44 police commandos who were killed during the 2015 Mamasapano clash that US President Donald Trump had a message for him.

Duterte said Trump sent him his warm regards through Paula Shugart, whom he erroneously described as the US's representative for Miss Universe 2016.  Shugart is actually the president of the Miss Universe Organization, the organizer of the beauty tilt being hosted by the Philippines.

"President Trump requested her to extend his best regards to President Duterte. According to Ms. Shugart, President Trump supports his administration and has requested her to relay this message to him," Duterte said.

After saying that he was not invited to Trump's inauguration,  Duterte suddenly mentioned the need to drop a colonial mindset that is excessively dependent on the US.

"Pero di ako pumunta do'n sa inauguration. 'Di naman ako niyaya, e di huwag. 'Di ko naman sila niyaya. Tayo-tayo lang ditong Filipino (But I did not go to the inauguration. I wasn't invited. Fine. We Filipinos are on our own). I don't need them its about time you disabuse our mind from the colonial (mindset)," Duterte said.

Taking swing at Obama

The president then joked about former US president Barack Obama sending him a note informing him about the recommendation to prosecute him before the international criminal court.

"Son of a b****. They (US) are not part of the international criminal court. Why would you do that to me? Then you reprimand in public? Who are you? Go to hell," Duterte said, referring to the Obama administration's criticisms on his war on drugs.

Duterte went on to say that he would never visit the US even if he is introduced to Miss Universe beauties.

"There will never come a time that I will go to America. I swear, I swear," Duterte said.

"Maski ipakilala ako sa lahat ng Miss Universe dun, sa inyo na lang. Tiis na lang ako sa mga Filipina. Maganda na mabango pa (Even if you introduce me to all the Miss Universe candidates there, that's all yours. I will make do with Filipinas. They are beautiful and fragrant),"he added, drawing laughs from the audience which included children.   

"I'm not trying to be derogatory but it just doesn't fit.”

Duterte later on declared that "nothing beats the Filipina, who are beautiful, fragrant, and everything."  

The president then dismissed his remarks as a joke.

"Saan na yung magaganda? May nakita ako kanina, nawala naman. Biro lang yan ha… Huwag yung biyuda, ayaw ko yun sila. Yung kapatid na walang commitment. Nagpatawa na lang tayo. (Where are the beautiful women I saw earlier? They are gone. I'm just joking. I don't want widows. Maybe their sister who do not have commitment. We are just joking)," Duterte said.