Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is celebrating his 74th birthday today and he has a simple wish: prosperity.
The president said this during a small celebration organized by the Presidential Security Group today in his hometown of Davao City, ABS-CBN News reported.
He was surprised by his staff with a two-layer cake colored in blue and red — the colors of the Philippine flag, reported SunStar Manila.
In a video of the celebration posted by DZMM, the president looks at the cake and says his wish: “That the government will prosper and for us not to get involved … My wish is for us to progress and prosper, for us not to get involved in what’s happening to other countries.”
PANOORIN: Ano ang birthday wish ni Pang. Rodrigo Duterte? (📹 Wena Valenzona) @DZMMTeleRadyo pic.twitter.com/Ckm47xopWR
— Joyce Balancio (@joycebalancio) March 28, 2019
Rappler reported that President Duterte spent his birthday resting in his home.
His son, former Davao City vice mayor Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, had an interesting greeting for his father.
Writing on his Facebook account, he said in Bisaya: “You should rest sometime, leave those trying hard to be smart people. Inday (sister Sara Duterte) will take care of them. And those crazy dogs, I’ll take care of them.”
Paolo also posted a photo of their family, which included himself, Sara, their mother Elizabeth Zimmerman, the president, and his grandchildren.
Paolo is not the only one who wished his father well. Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol said: “We always pray that you will be given good health so [you can work] for the country. Happy birthday, Mayor.”
President Duterte was mayor of Davao City for many years. He was elected president in 2016 but a lot of people still call him mayor.
Former Senator Bongbong Marcos greeted him too and even said that their friendship is “genuine and true.”
The president is a vocal supporter of the Marcos family. He always mentions in his speeches that Bongbong’s sister, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, was one of those who supported him during his 2016 presidential campaign.
Happy Birthday to our dear President!
In these times of fake news, know that our friendship and continued support for you is genuine and true.
Mabuhay ang Presidente! Mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino!https://t.co/qqj46juT6O
— Bongbong Marcos (@bongbongmarcos) March 27, 2019
Even one of his most passionate critics, Senator Leila de Lima, wished him a happy birthday. De Lima, who was jailed for drug-related charges, released a statement on her social media accounts. She wished him “[e]nlightenment. True and profound enlightenment. Happy birthday.”
While her statement stayed classy, netizens online didn’t hold back. One said he wants the president to live long enough to answer for the alleged crimes he has committed.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is currently conducting a preliminary examination on the Philippine government’s bloody drug war, where the country’s police force allegedly committed numerous human rights violations.
The government has vowed that they will block or deport the ICC’s investigators in case they come to the Philippines.
I sincerely wish President Duterte good health on his birthday so that he may live long enough to be brought to justice for his crimes against the Filipino people. #dutertebirthdaywishes
— Brian Paul Giron (@tikbalang) March 28, 2019
Meanwhile, netizen @pooriitaa quipped: “Poor Father Digz, he’s tired. Filipinos will be happy if you rest and resign. Happy birthday!”
Many of President Duterte’s supporters call him Tatay or Father Digong.
kaawa naman si tatay digz, pagod na, sasaya po ang mga pilipino kapag nagpahinga at nag resign na po kayo. happy birthday po! ☺️
— Homo Sine Nomine (@pooriitaa) March 28, 2019
@iAmAnilovich wrote: “Did he file a leave [of absence]? It’s not a holiday, [but] he’s going to sleep again.”
The president earned the ire of countless netizens when he skipped meetings at the ASEAN Summit in Singapore in November 2018 to take power naps.
Nag-file ba sya ng leave? Hindi naman holiday, tutulog na naman sya. 🙄
— Aquaria Stark (@iAmAnilovich) March 28, 2019
Parody account @alt_BBM was even more fierce and said: “I hope that’s your last [birthday].”
Sana last niya na yan. pic.twitter.com/tE75Lal6sM
— Fake Bongbong Marcos (@alt_BBM) March 28, 2019
What’s your birthday wish for the president? Tell us by leaving a comment below or tweeting to @CoconutsManila.
