MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Wednesday met American actor Stephen Baldwin, who is in Manila to promote his new drug-themed film, in a courtesy call in a hotel in Taguig City.
Baldwin’s film “Kaibigan” (Friend) is about the consequences of drugs and other vices on the lives of teenagers. Duterte’s top aide, Secretary Christopher “Bong” Go, in a statement, said the film meant to “send an important message to the youth on the consequences of making the wrong choices in life.”
The film will also mark the comeback of Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson on the screen, by playing the role of a journalist.
Uson previously said her participation in the film is pro-bono.
Go said during the meeting, Baldwin invited the President to attend to the premiere showing of his film, scheduled from October to November 2018, to which the president obliged.
Baldwin also praised the President for his high trust rating among Filipinos, he added.
According to Go, Duterte explained his strong stance against illegal drugs and corruption noting that fulfilling those two campaign promises was to gain respect of the people.
Baldwin also gave the President a book titled “The Unusual Suspect”, an autobiography about his outlook in life after making a personal commitment to Christ.
The President promised to find time to read it and assured Baldwin that he will always be welcome in the Philippines, he added.
During the start of their meeting, Go said Baldwin asked Duterte’s opinion on the engagement of his daughter, Hailey, to singer Justin Bieber.
Duterte said Baldwin had nothing to worry about as long as Bieber “believes in the sanctity of marriage.”
Photos shared by Go showed both the President and actor striking Duterte’s signature first bump pose. (Azer Parrocha/PNA)
