IPINAGTANGGOL ng Palasyo ang maluwag na kurbata ni Pangulong Duterte habang kaharap si Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev matapos naman batikusin ng isang foreign journalist ang kanyang pananamit.
“PRRD does not look unkempt. What those kibitzers refer to is the way he wore his tie. He loosened it up. He feels suffocated and very uncomfortable if the tie is tightly in place in the collar. The President is very hygienic. His body emits a refreshing scent as observed by people who meet up close to him,” sabi ni Presidential Spokesperson at Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo.
Nauna nang binatikos ng mamamahayag mula sa Czech Republic na si Povel Vondra ang klase ng pananamit ni Duterte habang kaharap ang Russian Prime Minister.
“His loosened tie was not intended to disrespect the Russian Prime Minister or the Russian. PRRD dresses up for comfort, he is not particular on unsettling other people. He is upfront on everything he does,” giit ni Panelo.
Nasa Russia si Duterte para sa kanyang ikalawang pagbisita matapos namang mapaaga ang uwi niya sa bansa sa kanyang unang biyahe sa Russia dahil sa nangyaring paglusob ng Maute Group at Abu Sayyaf sa Marawi City noong Mayo 23, 2017.