MANILA -- A "humbled" President Rodrigo Duterte apologized to business tycoons he once threatened to jail after saying he welcomed their response to the coronavirus crisis.
The Philippine leader, who has had an antagonistic relationship with the country's commercial elite, said during a televised address late on Monday that he was prepared to talk with owners of conglomerates Ayala Corp. and Metro Pacific Investments. Their high-stakes dispute with the president had led to state contracts being reviewed and shares being sold off.
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