President Duterte turns 73 today
Instead of throwing a lavish party, President Duterte is expected to stay at home and celebrate his birthday with his family.
The President, who turns 73 today, March 28, would be content with receiving prayers and well-wishes on his birthday, according to Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go.
“Mayor Rody will be celebrating his birthday at home, with his family. He has never been known to throw
lavish birthday parties even when he was mayor of Davao City,” Go said in a statement. “Prayers from his well-wishers during his birthday would surely make him very happy,” he added.
In previous years, the President avoided grand birthday celebration and fanfare, and opted instead to spend his birthday privately with his family in Davao City.
On the eve of his 73rd birthday, the President started receiving some wishes, such as good health and long life, from some Cabinet members. Greetings from Chinese leader
Chinese President Xi Jinping was the first world leader to extend his sincere congratulations and best wishes to President Duterte.
In his congratulatory letter, President Xi noted the “turnaround” of the relationship between the Philippines and China which are “being further consolidated and deepened.”
“Our bilateral relations have enjoyed ongoing betterment and improvement and reaped productive outcomes, which brought tangible benefits to our two peoples and promoted peace and stability of the region,” the Chinese leader said his letter.
He also cited their meeting “on quite a few occasions” during which they “reached important consensus on advancing China-Philippines relations and deepening practical cooperation, and set the course for the future growth of our bilateral relations.”
“I attach great significance to the growth of China-Philippines relations, and stand ready to work with you to carry forward sustained and in-depth growth of China-Philippines relations and bring about more benefits to our countries and peoples,” said Xi
‘Long, healthy life’
Go said he wishes the President “long and healthy life” so he could continue to serve the nation. He also hoped that Duterte would have more years to spend time with his family and loved ones.
“To my adviser, my mentor, and my boss, isang maligayang kaarawan po sa inyo!” the President's aide said.
Presidential Communications Operations Secretary Martin Andanar also wished more blessings for the President, as he paid tribute to “the man for people.”
“A grateful people celebrate his seventy-third year and pray that he be blessed for more,” Andanar said in a statement titled “Blessed be the man.” “We pray that our president be blessed with more years, strong health and the wisdom of fine age,” he added.
Andanar recognized the President for his relentless efforts to combat illegal drugs, crime, and corruption in the country.
“Our Mayor-President, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, has set himself to be the man for people, before whom his oath was pledged, and to whom he vowed to make peace the bedrock platform for the country's progress. His words arise from the jugular: Passionate, intense, committed, and focused. But first, he declares that a war must be waged, against the evils of dangerous drugs, corrupt practices, terrorism in all its forms, and the plague of abuse from the profligate rich. And the people rally to his battle cry,” he said.
‘Major progress’ Andanar likewise highlighted the “major progress” attained by the Duterte administration in terms of promoting economic growth, employment opportunities, social services, among others.
“President Duterte began by circumventing the layers of an inherited dysfunctional past, a difficult, ongoing task of cleansing; and major progress has been done. He immediately set to motion the fundamentals of the economy barely a month after his proclamation,” he said.
“Employment was prioritized and protected for both local and foreign-based workers. Education in state universities and colleges was guaranteed with free tuition. Hospitals accommodated the poorest who could not pay. Food production was intensified,” he added.
He said the government has also pursued the rehabilitation of war-torn-Marawi City as well as the “Build, Build, Build” infrastructure program.
“My list could go on like a litany of deeds and more still are evolving. But for now, we pause for this one day, to render to the President, Rodrigo RoaDuterte, the honor and the gratitude deserving of a leader, whose vision is revealed as each day unfolds,” he said.
“He acts both from the realm of power, and from the homes of the powerless. The narratives of his stories, belong authentically to the language of the people,” he added. (With a report from Roy C. Mabasa)