Duterte Seen In Rumpled Suit At Moscow Meeting, Seeks Stronger Defense Ties With Russia

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was in Moscow this week attending an event organized by a Russian think tank and to hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The purpose of his visit was to seek greater defense ties with Russia but some pictures of a somewhat disheveled Duterte drew some attention on social media by Russian Twitter users. More on that later.

Duterte's first stop was Sochi, where he made a bit of history as the first Philippine president to speak at the forum of the Valdai International Discussion Club, one of Russia’s prominent and respected think tanks and discussion groups. In his speech, he directed a bit of scorn at the United States for criticizing his war on drugs that some argue violate human rights and has resulted in thousands of deaths.

Excerpts from the speech included “…they [the USA] act like they know the answers to our problems. They create rules and norms for almost everyone, and some refuse to be bound by the same. They weaponize human rights oblivious to its damaging consequences.”

This may have been an attempt to placate any anti-American sentiment as he later said that he has nothing against the U.S. which he described as “a close friend” and “our only treaty ally.”

In Moscow, during his bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, Duterte said he has a “long-term commitment to elevate" defense relations with Russia. Putin, for his part, said Russia wants greater trade and economic ties with the Philippines.

Duterte’s rumpled appearance in pictures with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday has any number of explanations but social media was quick to make humorous comments. One Twitter user asked, "Did he just come back from a pub?" Another asked, "Was Duterte getting hammered all night?"

The most plausible answer is that Duterte was simply uncomfortable in his clothing. The normal everyday garb for most Filipinos is casual , perhaps a T-shirt, shorts and "flip flops" due to the tropical climate. For formal wear, the Barong Tagalog is an embroidered shirt and is considered the national dress of the Philippines. It is loose-fitting, lightweight and worn untucked over an undershirt.

Duterte has a history of turning up at international and major events in relaxed attire. He claims that he hates socks and that he owns no suits and does not like formal wear because the clothes irritate his skin. People who are fans of the old TV show Columbo featuring the late actor Peter Falk as the cigar smoking “disheveled detective” are likely to compare the actor’s appearance with Duterte’s in the photos with the prime minister.