Toycon is an annual gathering of hobbyists in the Philippines. Making another appearance this year are figurines bearing the likeness of the President of the Philippines, among others.
Presidential toys
The miniature head of state is clothed in one of his trademark plaid shirts that became emblematic during his 2016 presidential campaign.
The creator has also brought along figures based on two other leaders: President Donald Trump of the United States and President Vladimir Putin of Russia.
Duterte and Putin were among the “strongmen” leaders praised by Trump in 2017.
Mendoza in an interview with GMA News said the figures sold for as much as P3,000.
Mendoza has been bringing around his Duterte toys to the hobbyist’s convention since 2016, when Duterte first took office.
2017’s Toycon saw an interesting twist: a bubble-head toy for the president.
Critics of the administration are not too pleased with his “surprise appearance” at the convention.
The appearance of another figurine based on Special Assistant to the President Bong Go comes in the wake of a number of public appearances by the presidential aide, who was previously named as one of the possible senatorial hopefuls on the 2019 PDP-Laban senatorial slate.
In May 2018, Go was documented making several appearances at events such as free ice cream distributions and basketball tournaments.
In the month prior, various private groups posted pictures of various items bearing Go’s name.
Go recently disclaimed that no government funds were used for the meet-and-greet sessions overseas he and the president were usually present at.
