PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte celebrated his 74th birthday at his home without fanfare Thursday, March 28, although birthday wishes flooded various social media and other platforms.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio posted on her Instagram account her birthday wish for her father: "A lecture on responsible gadget use by Lolo Digong. Happy Birthday PRD! Wish you good health and happiness."
Paolo Duterte, the President’s elder son, also posted a lengthy message for his father on his Facebook account:
"Happy Birthday Pa! Bisag unsa ka kabusy sa imong trabaho, usahay wa na kay tulog, pero makapangita ra gihapon ka og oras para kanamo. Daghang Salamat Pa! Naa ra mi dri kanunay mosuporta kanimo. Pahulay sad usahay, pasagdi ng mga tawo nga pabright-bright diha, si Inday nay bahala nila! hehehe Ug kanang mga irong buang Pa, ako nay bahala nila! Hinaot nga kanunay ka nga anaa sa maayong panglawas aron sab nga makapadayon ka sa pagserbisyo sa katawhan. We love you Pa!"
(No matter how busy you are you still find time for us. Thank you Pa. We are just here for you. Take time to rest, let Inday take care of those who think they are smart. I hope you are always in good health so you can continue serving the public).
President Duterte's spokesperson, Salvador Panelo, also extended his greetings and wishes for his boss saying, "He may continue to have a sound mind, healthy body".
"As Mayor Duterte celebrates his 74th birthday, we pray the Almighty to continue giving him a sound mind and a healthy body, that he may finish the goals he had set for the betterment of the country and people that he loved so well towards a future of progress and prosperity," he added.
In a separate statement, former special assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go, who has been with the President during the latter's mayoral stint, wished that Duterte will have "50 more years to live to serve our fellow Filipinos."
Here are the president’s well-wishers, both officials and ordinary folks, and their birthday messages:
"I am praying for a bountiful health to be bestowed upon our beloved President, Rodrigo Duterte. I am praying for the sustainability of his programs for the benefit of all the Filipinos. I am wishing that he be blessed with many many more birthdays to come. We need him to transform Philippines from Developing Country to a Develop one."
- Councilor Halila Sudagar
"My special wish to our President, Mayor Rody on his birthday today is that he be given good health so he can continue to serve our country until the last day of his term."
- DCCCII president Art Milan
"To our Beloved President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. May this year and the years ahead of your birthday may always brings a special treasure of good health, happiness and peace for the entire humanity. Stay happy and blessed Mr. President... Happy, Happy Birthday!"
- Councilor Edgar Ibuyan Sr.
"Happy birthday President. We are proud for what you have done in our country. May you have good health and more blessings!"
- Councilor Conrado Baluran
"My wish for our dear President is for him to live long and healthy. I also wish him success in fulfilling every Filipino's dream of having a clean government and a progressive, drug-free Philippines."
- LTFRB 11 Regional Director Cattleya Acaylar
"Happy natal day Tatay Digong! We’re praying for the good health always. You are not perfect leader but the best of all time."
- netizen Rasul Ampatuan Kanakan Gani
"Happy birthday Tatay Digong. May God bless you more of good health, happiness and long life. God bless your intentions, decisions and your strong will to change this country. Let also the people who are helping you, surrounding you be blessed with good heart and good soul for this country to regain back its integrity."
- Jenny Hirakawa (netizen)
(With Sunstar Philippines)