President Rodrigo Duterte has accepted his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden's invitation to participate in the Summit for Democracy, which Washington is mounting to check the rise of authoritarian rule and advocate for human rights, Malacanang said.
The 76-year-old Duterte, who is facing an investigation by the International Criminal Court over his war on drugs, "welcomes the opportunity to share the Philippine democratic experience and commitment to democratic values and nation building" during the two-day virtual event, Malacanang said.
The Palace said Biden was looking forward to welcoming Duterte and hearing his ideas on "how we can foster a more democratic, equitable, inclusive and sustainable world." The summit is scheduled Dec. 9 to 10.
On the eve of the summit proper on Wednesday, the State Department said a forum on media freedom will be held and attendees include Nobel laureate Maria Ressa, who has faced lawsuits for reports critical of Duterte.
Duterte had called Biden's prdecessor Donald Trump as his "idol" and when they assumed power in 2016, Duterte and Trump signalled the rise of authoritarian rule.
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