Palace prays for sound mind, healthy body on Duterte’s birthday

MANILA – A day before President Rodrigo R. Duterte celebrates his 74th birthday, Malacañang on Wednesday wished the Chief Executive a “sound mind” and “healthy body” to help him finish the goals he has set for the country.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, in his birthday message addressed Duterte as “Mayor” instead of President, praised him for “his sense of duty and fidelity to the country”.

Panelo said these traits not only inspire and motivate workers in the government to serve the people well but moves the rest of society to do the same.

“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,” Panelo said in a statement.

“From a local public servant, he had evolved to be a force with national constituency catapulting him to the zenith of political power as the Chief Executive and Head of State,” added Panelo, referring to Duterte’s humble start as mayor of Davao City.

Panelo cited Duterte’s war against illegal drugs, fight against corruption, and policies and reforms aimed at providing Filipinos with a better life such as free college education, free universal healthcare and medicine as proof of his desire to make good on his campaign promises.

He also gave credit to Duterte’s initiative to sign laws on free irrigation to farmers; free feeding program for undernourished school children; salary increase of soldiers, policemen, firemen and government workers; higher SSS pension of senior citizens and old-age pension of veterans; among many other changes in the social and political landscape.

Moreover, he also praised the President for “relentlessly and tirelessly performing his constitutional duty to serve and protect the people.“

Panelo also described Filipinos as being “blessed” and “privileged” for having Duterte, a “compassionate man” as head of state.

“We are certainly blessed and privileged to have someone as dedicated as President Duterte as the captain of our ship steering our flag carrier safely to a land, he vowed to be free from drugs and crimes where each Filipino will enjoy a comfortable life,” Panelo said.

Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar, for his own birthday message, described as “destiny” the election of Duterte into office.

“Destiny designed your name: Rodrigo Roa Duterte, 74 years ago on this day, to lead that we may follow and to follow that we may live, your noble cause within our lives. Happy birthday, President Duterte!” Andanar said.

Meanwhile, Panelo also confirmed that the President will spend his birthday quietly with his family and loved ones in his hometown, Davao City as in previous years.

“The presidency has not changed his simple lifestyle, no frills but certainly plenty of thrills,” Panelo said.