President set for Malaysia to meet PM Mahathir, watch Pacquiao fight

President Duterte is set to fly to Malaysia during the weekend to meet Prime Minister Mahathir Bin Mohamad and watch the boxing match of Senator Manny Pacquiao against Argentine boxer Lucas Matthysse.

According to Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, the President had a phone conversation with the newlyelected Malaysian official before the Monday evening Cabinet meeting.

“Had Telephone talk with Mahathir before cabinet meeting. He wants to talk about insurgency and ISIS,” Roque said in his Twitter account Monday evening, quoting President Duterte.

“We will be there July 16. Af-

ter boxing, will talk with Mahathir,” he added, noting that Duterte's visit will be a “private trip.”

Roque also confirmed that Duterte will watch the boxing match of Pacquiao against Matthyse on Sunday.

“Probably three days total but no final plans yet,” Roque said when asked about the length of Duterte's stay in Malaysia.

Another Palace official confirmed that Duterte will be watching Pacquaio's match on Sunday.

Mahathir is serving his second term of office as Malaysian Prime Minister. He became the fourth prime minister in July 1981 and served until October 2003, before being elected as the seventh prime minister in May this year.

Shortly after Mahathir's win, Duterte said that the victory of the 92-yearold prime minister was not surprising at all.

“Mahathir won because the people of Malaysia admired him so much,” Duterte said in a speech in Marawi City in May.

Duterte also said that it was easy for Mahathir to get reelected because of what Malaysia has achieved under his leadership, particularly in turning Malaysia's economy into one of the world's most progressive economies during his 22-year term.

“What Malaysia is today is the product of Mahathir’s sweat. You know that,” Duterte had said. (With a report from Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)