MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte thanked his "fast friend," San Miguel Corp. president Ramon S. Ang, for supporting his administration.

Duterte said Ang had been helping him since the campaign early this year.

"Ramon, we became fast friends because… you have this disarming attitude of humility. Talagang madidis-arm ka (You will really get disarmed) so we became fast friends. I would be happy if you would share, break bread with me during our Christmas," the President said.

Duterte also thanked Ang for pledging to finance the construction of a drug rehabilitation center and donating equipment to the military.