Palace condoles with Cebu on Cardinal Vidal's death

In this July 13, 2016 photo, President Rodrig Duterte shows respect to Ricardo Cardinal Vidal doing the traditional "pagmamano" when the latter visited the president in Malacañan Palace. PPD/Toto Lozano

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Wednesday expressed its condolences with the Cebu faithful following the death of Cebu Archbishop Emeritus Ricardo Cardinal Vidal.

"President Rodrigo Duterte and Cardinal Vidal had a friendly, cordial relationship," Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.

Abella noted that Vidal paid a courtesy call to Malacañang shortly after Duterte assumed office last year and "assured the Chief Executive of his fervent prayers for him and his administration."