PRRD will work over holidays

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the Impact Exhibition and Convention Center in Nonthaburi, Thailand on November 3, 2019. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte will remain “devoted” to his job as the highest official in the land even as workers in the public and private sector look forward to the upcoming Christmas break.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo raised the possibility that the President may still continue to perform his duties during the holidays since he is a “workaholic.”

“Si Presidente naman, nakikita mo naman, walang pahinga. Masyado ngang workaholic. Sabi ganun, magbabakasyon pero wala rin e (You can see the President barely has time to rest. He’s such a workaholic. He says he’ll take a vacation but he doesn’t really follow it),” Panelo said in an interview over radio dzIQ on Sunday.

“Talagang napaka-devoted sa kaniyang trabaho bilang Presidente (He is really devoted to his job as President),” he added.

Recalling how the 74-year-old President still insisted on doing his job despite his doctor’s advice for him to take a rest, Panelo said the Chief Executive would probably do the same during the Christmas break.

Duterte is expected to celebrate Christmas with family and friends in his hometown, Davao City, where he served as mayor for over two decades before becoming the country’s head of state in 2016.

He also visits young cancer patients at the Southern Philippine Medical Center in Davao City every year.

In 2017, the President visited families of individuals killed in a Davao City mall fire.

Duterte earlier wished fellow Filipinos to be “be happy” and find joy in sharing a simple noche buena with their families despite the challenges they face.

He has also joked about wanting to receive a new motorbike for Christmas but went on to say his only wish is for the Philippines and the Filipinos.

“Wala na akong hinihingi para sa akin (I no longer ask for anything for myself),” Duterte said.

Last year, thousands of people queued up for the “Pahalipay sa Pasko”, a yearly Christmas treat of the Duterte family held at their ancestral residence in Barangay Bangkal, Davao City.

Under Proclamation 555, Duterte declared Christmas Day, December 25 as among the regular holidays for the year.

Meanwhile, Christmas Eve, December 24 is considered an additional, special, non-working day.