Duterte wishes for PH progress, prosperity on his birthday

TOP BIRTHDAY CELEBRATOR: President Rodrigo R. Duterte is about to blow the candle on his cake on the eve of his birthday on Wednesday (March 27, 2019). (Photo: PTV/Facebook)

MANILA — Instead of making a wish for himself on the eve of his 74th birthday, President Rodrigo R. Duterte wished for the Philippines to progress and prosper.

A video shared by Matina Enclaves property manager Wena Valenzona to media showed the President making a birthday wish before blowing candles on his cake.

“My wish is that we will just continue to progress and prosper at hindi tayo kasali diyan sa mga gulo gulo sa ibang bayan (and that we won’t part of the chaos in other nations),” Duterte said in the video.

“I wish you all happiness,” he added.

Meanwhile, photos shared by former Special Assistant to the President and senatorial candidate Christopher “Bong” Go showed Duterte feasting on assorted maki, sashimi, and other Japanese food.

Duterte celebrated his pre-birthday dinner with members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) in Davao City on Wednesday.

Members of Duterte’s Cabinet have also started sending him birthday greetings–one of whom was Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, who wished the President good health.

“We wish the President the best of health in body and spirit as he continues to serve this growing nation in fulfillment of his promises to the Filipino people,” said Nograles in his birthday message.

“The entire Cabinet in one voice reaffirm our commitment to deliver our President’s wishes. We won’t let you down, sir!” he added.

Nograles, meanwhile, described the President as “one of the most intense and focused persons in government” and his leadership style being “defined by his own strong personality”.

“We are truly blessed to have Mayor Rody as President. I’ve always known him to be one of the most intense and focused persons in government; his passion tempered by a soft heart for the ordinary Filipino,” Nograles said.

As in previous years, Duterte spent his birthday with family in his hometown, Davao City.

Duterte is the oldest Filipino politician to be elected President in Philippine history.