July 19, 2016 – President Rodrigo R. Duterte issued a statement on July 19 at Malacañan Palace clarifying and dismissing rumors that he is replacing Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay.

President Rodrigo R. Duterte issued a statement on July 19 at Malacañan Palace clarifying and dismissing rumors that he is replacing Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay. The President said that he personally pleaded Yasay to join his administration because of his competence and honesty and that the Secretary knows his business. TOTO LOZANO/PND