President Duterte showered with love on 73rd birthday

As expected, there was no lavish party for President Duterte when he turned 73 years old on Wednesday, March 28. But well-wishes were aplenty – from his kids, his supporters, and even from the other side of the political fence.

In separate Facebook statuses, Duterte’s first two children – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio, and former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte – posted their greetings

for their beloved father.

Carpio on Wednesday morning shared a photo of her father playing with her youngest son “Stonefish,” whose real name is Marko Digong, a reference to the nickname of the country’s 16th President.

“Happy Birthday Digong 1 good health paaarrteeey!” the Davao City Mayor shared on her Facebook account.

Duterte’s oldest son Paolo posted a lengthier message for his father.

In his Facebook post, accompanied by a photo of the father-and-son pair, Paolo thanked his father for keeping up with him.

“Pa sa tanan kalago tugka lipay sa atong duha, ako magpabiling anak ni mo. Sa tanan yawyaw nimo nako, Pa nami nawko, gidawat nako ugna kasabot ko. Dili da lima himong amahan sa pinakabut-an nimong anak (Pa, with all the misunderstanding and happiness that we’ve been through together, I remain as your son. I listened to all your advice, accepted them, and understood them. It’s not easy to be a father to your most behaved son)!” the Presidential Son said.

“Pasay lua ko sa mga panahon na nadungagan nako imong uban (white hair). Unta maabot pa ang panahon naikapang hambog koni mo (Please forgive me for all the times that I have caused you to get white hair. I hope that the time will come that you can be proud of me, too),” he added.

Paolo promised that he and his siblings will do whatever they can not to shame their father.

“I know that I would never attain what you have achieved in your lifetime, but I can assure you that I will do my best to make you proud. Maning kamot kougakongmgaigsuonnga di kamapahiyasaamua. (My siblings and I will work hard so we will not be an embarrassment for you),” he said.

“Daghang salamat sa tanan ta bangnimo na ko ugsa akong pamilya. Daghang Salamat sa taas taas pang pasensya.. Ikaw na (Thank you for all the help that you’ve given me and my family. Thank you for having lots of patience… You’re the man)! Happy birthday Pa! I love you!!!” he continued.

Leni’s greetings Vice President LeniRobredo, who belongs to the political opposition, wished President Duterte, “good health and success of his administration.”

Robredo, who once served as housing chief in the Duterte Cabinet, wished Duterte a successful presidency on his 73rd birthday when asked in a media interview in Cebu.

“My birthday wish is always good health and success of the administration because no one will benefit from the success of President’s administration except the Filipinos,” the Vice President said in Filipino.

Robredo has always advised Duterte to take care of himself to carry out the mandate to lead the country.

But Robredo is a vocal critic of some of Duterte’s policies, most notably the bloody war on drugs, but she repeatedly said her dissenting voice doesn’t mean she wants to replace Duterte.

Greetings from solons

Lawmakers also joined President Duterte’s well-wishers.

“Happy birthday Mr. President. Keep cool and keep healthy. We need you to guide our nation for your full term,” said Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, a close ally and partymate of President Duterte in the Partidong Demokratikong Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban).

Senator “Sonny” Angara, for his part, acknowledged that Duterte doesn’t have the easiest job in the country right now, that’s why he hopes the President would be able to overcome the problems hounding the nation.

“We wish the President and his family continued good health to withstand all the rigors of being President,” Angara said.

Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III said he also sent the President his birthday message, wishing him all the best and for his continued good health.

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said he wished Duterte “good health, more wisdom, and a successful presidency,” while Senator Grace Poe also wished the President to “have peace of mind and fulfillment.”

Likewise, Sen. Gregorio Honasan II hopes that Duterte would have the capacity to carry out difficult decisions for the nation despite the adversities he and the country is facing.

“As President Rodrigo Duterte turns 73 today, we pray for continuing wisdom, vision, courage, and political will,” Honasan said.

“May the lord give him longer life and wisdom to be able to steer this country toward real growth and progress. Siya lang ang pag-asa ng Pilipinas (He is the sole hope of the Philippines),” Surigao del Norte 2nd District Robert Ace Barbers said of Duterte.

“It makes me proud to be a Mindanaoan! Happy birthday Mr. President,” added Barbers, who chairs the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs.

Another Mindanaoan in Sulu 2nd District Rep. Munir Arbison wished for more strength and better health for the Chief Executive on his special day.

“I wish that he could be given by Allah strength and good health so that he could resolve the problem of insurgency in Mindanao as well as the kidnapping and drug problem in Sulu which has brought down the image and economy of our country,” Arbison said.

This was echoed by another solon from the south, Surigaodel Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel.

“I wish him good health so that he could finish all the programs and projects that he started,” said Pimentel, chairman of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability.

“Happy 73rd birthday, Mr. President. Thank you for your brave and fearless leadership. I hope that you have a day of joy and rest on your birthday,” Deputy Minority Leader, AKO-Bicol Party-List Rep. Alfredo Garbin said in a rather practical wish for the septuagenarian Duterte.

“May you continue to be blessed with good health, infinite wisdom and indefatigable spirit to deal with the multifarious concerns and problems of our nation. I also hope that will succeed in the war against drugs and poverty and preside over a country which is relatively peaceful, prosperous and stable,” Rep. Rodel Batocabe, also of AKO Bicol, said.

“[I wish him] long life and good health to lead the country to economic progress and regain our pride as a Filipino in the global stage,” Quezon City 2nd District Rep. Winston Castelo said.

Strong political will

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said that the Philippines is blessed to have a leader like President Duterte who celebrated his birthday Wednesday.

“On this day, we are reminded of how blessed we are as a nation to be headed by someone who is known for his strong political will, decisive leadership and compassion for his fellowmen,” Roque said on Holy Wednesday morning.

“Today, the father of the nation is celebrating one of the most important occasions in his life... I join the people in wishing our President a happy birthday!” he added

“We will never get tired [of] paddling the ship as long as you are at the helm. Please continue steering the ship until it reaches its drug-free destination,” Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said.

“We are with you in this journey. Walang iwanan (No one gets left behind)! Happy birthday PRRD, sir!” the chief PNP added.(With reports from Raymund F. Antonio, Hannah L. Torregoza, Ellson A. Quismorio, and Martin A. Sadongdong)