President Rodrigo Duterte’s tough guy image turned mellow as he hosted Malacañang reporters, photographers, and cameramen to a Christmas Party on Tuesday night.

Known for his love-hate relationship with the media, Duterte assured journalists that he was not an enemy of the press.

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“I am not your enemy. Your quest for truth, that is your business, not mine. At the end of the day, it’s not my property. It’s just public interest,” he said.

“Never mind about our relations. It’s always adversarial. Wala naman tayong galit. We do not fight with each other. I do not hate anybody here or else I would not be inviting you to my place,” he added.

The President, who has slammed media for alleged bias, acknowledged that there were always two sides to every story.

“Your truth is not my truth and everybody’s truth. There are always two sides of the coin. My truth, your truth, and the public perception,” he said.

“In the meantime, we have work to do. You have your mandate. I have my task. If we happen to meet at a corner and agree, it would be good. But if we find ourselves in disagreement, that is part of our territory,” he added.

During the dinner, Duterte entertained media with this rendition of his favorite song “Ikaw” and “You Raise Me Up.”

Duterte’s officials did not disappoint the press as they also sang their favorite songs.

The often serious Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go belted out “All My Life” by America, “Let It Be” by The Beatles, and “Superman” by Five for Fighting, which he dedicated to the President.

“It’s not easy to be Mayor Duterte,” Go said.

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Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar joined his fellow officials and sang Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York.”

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque was in a jovial mood as he belted out the popular “O Pare Ko” by the Eraserheads.

Aside from singing, Duterte also danced ballroom with Communications Assistant Secretary Lorraine Badoy while Roque danced with a presidential security aide.

A relaxed Duterte also granted selfies with the press and some Malacañang employees.

“I will be glad to be your friend forever,” the President told the media. /cbb

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