Duterte gets rest day on 77th birthday

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — There was no official function or lavish party for President Duterte on his 77th birthday, as he spent it as a rest day at home here in Davao City.

Duterte’s birthday yesterday marked the last he would be spending as president. He is stepping down from office at noon of June 30.

“The President caught up on his sleep and took a rest, as he was still working and was busy days before his birthday. He did not meet any visitors nor anyone on his day as he always did. It is the same as usual,” a close Palace official said, adding nothing has changed with the President as far as his birthday is concerned.

Duterte’s wish for his birthday this year was for “clean, honest and fair” May 2022 elections.

The President has been known to shun social gatherings even when he was still a local official serving as mayor, vice mayor or congressman, and instead spends his birthday with the closest members of his family.

The President’s daughter Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio yesterday wished her father “good health and happiness.”

“Wala mi nagkita naay mga rallies (We did not see each other as we had rallies),” said the mayor, the vice presidential bet of UniTeam coalition.

For the past six years as president of the country, Duterte never failed to come home and spend weekends with his children Sara, Davao City acting Mayor Sebastian, Davao first district Rep. Paolo and Veronica and his more than 10 grandchildren.

Greetings

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco joined other government officials in greeting the President on his 77th birthday.

“May your legacy of meaningful change and comprehensive development live on in the hearts and minds of the next generations,” the congressman said.

House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez also wished the President a happy birthday, saying he is thankful for the leader’s sacrifices and services to the Filipino people.

“Rest assured, Mr. President, that your services to the country will be remembered in generations to come,” he said in a statement.

On the sidelines of SMNI’s presidential interview, presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Filipinos will always be grateful for what Duterte has done.

“We wish him a very happy birthday and we will always be grateful for all that he has done for our country and I think that is reflected on how Filipinos now react to him,” he said.

Independent presidential candidate Sen. Panfilo Lacson greeted Duterte on Twitter.

“Happy 77th birthday Mr. President. I wish you good health and peaceful life after noontime on June 30. We may have disagreed on several issues, even called each other out a few times, but I can never forget you were there for me in one of my difficult times in the distant past,” Lacson posted.

Sen. Bong Go also greeted Duterte, describing him as his “idol in public service, my mentor, our president, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

Sen. Bato dela Rosa thanked Duterte for being instrumental in shaping his career, from his being appointed as chief of the Philippine National Police, to where he is now.

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) also “greeted” Duterte yesterday with yet another “jab.”

“It might be his last outside a prison cell,” said CPP chief information officer Marco Valbuena, adding, “In a few months, as soon as he steps down from his official term as Philippine President, the Filipino people will without a doubt demand that he be prosecuted for the countless crimes against humanity.” – Delon Porcalla, Jose Rodel Clapano, Paolo Romero, Artemio Dumlao, Edith Regalado