"Mr. President, critics you will always have. If I were you, I will not mind them; just mind history, the Filipino people," said former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile who was invited by Duterte in his weekly address to the nation.
"Huwag mo nang sagutin, Mr. President. They will enjoy that if they are being answered by a president," he added.
Duterte replied that his critics have become "irrelevant" after talking to the former senator and defense chief.
The President has been hounded by critics over his stand on the incursion of Beijing's militia vessels in the country's territorial waters despite the numerous diplomatic protest filed against them.
It further heightened when Duterte called China a 'good friend' since the country was in 'great debt' to it due to the COVID-19 vaccines it supplies.
Duterte also called Manila’s arbitral victory against China over the West Philippine Sea territory a ‘piece of paper’ that he will throw away in a trash bin.
At the same address, Enrile advised Duterte to remain friendly with China in resolving its incursions in the West Philippine Sea.
“Kaya dapat kailangan na friendly ang approach natin diyan, hindi hard, assertive and aggressive approach. Sapagkat kung hindi tayo magkakaunawaan sa Tsina ay madadamay ang interest ng ating mga kababayan, ang ating ekonomiya, pati na rin ang ating seguridad dito sa usapin na ito,” he said.
