DUTERTE TORN BETWEEN SPENDING BIRTHDAY IN MANILA OR DAVAO
MALACAÑANG said President Rodrigo would either celebrate his 75th birthday today by flying home to Davao City, as he usually does, or by staying in Manila, the command center in the country’s battle against the coronavirus pandemic.
“For a man in whose hands lie the heavy burden of steering the ship of state in these perilous times, he faces the dilemma of celebrating his natal day savoring the simple joy
of playing with his grandchildren in Davao or spending it dangerously in Manila among his people to lead them in the war of survival against the coronavirus, which has placed them, including himself, on the brink of disaster and death,” Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement Friday.
“In the midst of a global health crisis and under a cloud of gloom that looms in the horizon in this beautiful country of ours, the President [will] mark his 75th birthday today, March 28,” he added.
“Consistent with his daredevil character and deep filial ties, the President will most likely opt to either being ensconced safely and quietly with his loved ones in his comfort zone or continue with his manning the ramparts against the enemy. Given his dexterity it is unsurprising if he would probably do both with ease,” the spokesman said.
In a phone patch interview, Presidential Security Group chief Jesus Durante 3rd said Duterte would spend his birthday in Malacañang, as he was needed to oversee the country’s response to the pandemic.
The oldest elected Philippine president, Duterte would not receive any guests for his birthday, according to Durante.
“So far, sang ayon ,dito lang siya ( for now, the President will stay here [in Malacañang]),” he added. “His family members are all in Davao.”
Duterte has not been known for throwing big parties on his birthday, even when he was mayor of Davao City for more than 23 years, vice mayor and first district representative.
He usually makes himself scarce on his birthday.
Last year, the President celebrated his birthday in a similar fashion, with a simple family get-together.
His former top aide and now senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go earlier claimed that sa simple prayer would make Duterte “very happy” during his birthday.
“Prayers from his well-wishers during his birthday would surely make him very happy,” he said.
The President was born on March 28, 1945 in Maasin, Southern Leyte to Vicente Duterte, who was governor of the undivided Davao in the late 1950s, and Soledad Roa, a teacher.