OBAMA MEETS INFORMALLY WITH PHILIPPINES’ DUTERTE

President Obama and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte met informally Wednesday before attending a gala dinner, Philippine officials said.

The brief meeting came a day after Duterte expressed regret for referring to Obama as a “son of a bitch,” saying his nation seeks closer ties with the United States. Duterte’s vulgar language had caused Obama to cancel a formal meeting for the pair originally scheduled for Tuesday.

Although there was no immediate confirmation from the White House, Philippine Foreign Secretary Pefecto Yasay told the Associated Press the leaders had met in a holding room on Wednesday.