President Rodrigo Duterte held a meeting with former President Fidel V. Ramos in Malacañan Palace on Monday, November 14, where the two discussed various topics such as climate change, the peace process and ambassadorial appointments in a “pleasant” atmosphere.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Duterte said he promised the former leader that he would sign the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

“We talked about the treaty on climate change. He had his points. I gave him mine and we agreed that I’ll sign it,” Duterte said.

He said he is still waiting for the agreement to be submitted to him.

The President said he and Ramos also talked about how to handle and resolve the issues on the peace process involving Nur Misuari of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).

“He (Ramos) gave a few suggestions. He gave me a book on how to retrace the history of how Misuari came in from the cold to talk to the government,” the President said.

The President added that his discussion with Ramos also focused on identification of probable candidates for various ambassadorial positions in critical countries where diplomatic issues must be handled well.

President Duterte described his meeting with Ramos which lasted more than an hour as “pleasant”.

He said while they disagree on some issues, the former President always treated him well.

“The President (Ramos) is always courteous and nice,” he said.

It will be recalled that Ramos criticized the administration shortly after he resigned from his appointment as special envoy to China. PND