If it was any indication of preferences, Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte was reported to have spent about an hour-and-a-half in the cavernous Bulwagan room speaking with Iglesia ni Cristo Executive Minister Eduardo Manalo last April 22.
Clumsily clad in an unbuttoned barong with rolled up sleeves, and wearing leather shoes and corduroy, a relatively formal-looking Duterte shook hands with Manalo who was wearing the typical suit he dons during special occasions.
The two got along quite well, according to insiders who accompanied Duterte. Days later, a fake letter supposedly signed by Manalo endorsing Duterte went viral on Facebook. The INC quickly disowned it and said it would file charges against people behind it. One sure sign it was fake? It contained a typo and spelled “Rodrigo” as “Ridrido”. The Iglesia typically sends out formal, clean letters in flawless Filipino, we are told.
The mayor, who was formally invited to have an audience with Manalo, joked and chatted the time away. By now, we all know how Duterte is predisposed to long, winding speeches.
Vice President Jejomar Binay was given about 30 minutes, while administration bet Mar Roxas, who was accompanied by his wife Korina stayed for around 20 minutes, the Duterte insiders said.
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