Jovial meet for Duterte, Catriona Gray

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  —   There was no talk of politics nor the use of marijuana, which was one of the topics asked of Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray during the pageant in Bangkok, when she met with President Duterte at the Kalayaan Hall at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City last night.

The President had earlier said he favors legalizing marijuana for medical purposes but not for leisure use.

“It was really all banter. The President threw in some jokes, which Gray also just played along with. They even almost did not notice the time,” a source told The STAR.

“It was a very jovial meeting. They were laughing a lot,” the same source said.

The President was accompanied by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, presidential spokesman Salvaldor Panelo and Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat when he met with Gray.

Duterte came from Davao City and his flight was about an hour and a half delayed for his meet-up with Gray that was scheduled for 5 p.m.

The President congratulated Gray for being the country’s fourth Miss Universe after Gloria Diaz in 1969, Margie Moran in 1973 and Pia Wurtzbach in 2015.

The President then proceeded to Malacañang for the Christmas party he tendered for wounded-in-action soldiers.