DAVAO CITY, Philippines — He was recently described as a “gangster” by his famous father. Now former Davao vice mayor Paolo Duterte wishes that his father, President Duterte, will one day be proud of him.
“Unta maabot pa ang panahon na ikapanghambog ko nimo (I hope the time will come that you will be proud of me),” Paolo said as he greeted the President on his 73rd birthday.
“I know that I would never attain what you have achieved in your lifetime, but I can assure you that I will do my best to make you proud,” Paolo added.
Paolo thanked his father for his patience in dealing with him as the eldest son as he also apologized for causing the President troubles in the past, and even asked for forgiveness “for the times I cause more white hair to grow on you.”
“Daghang salamat sa tanan tabang nimo nako ug sa akong pamilya. Daghang salamat sa taas-taas pang pasensya. IKAW NA! (Thank you so much for all your help to me and to my family. Thank you so much for lots of patience. IT’S YOU!) HAPPY BIRTHDAY PA! I love you!!!” Paolo added.
Meanwhile, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio likewise wished her father good health on his birthday.
“Happy Birthday Digong 1 (emoji) good health paaarrteeey!” Sara greeted her father, as she also posted on social media a photo of her youngest son Marko Digong, also known as Stonefish, and the President.
Duterte’s other children are Sebastian and Veronica, the latter his daughter with common-law partner Honeylet Avanceña.
Leni: Good health, success for Duterte
Vice President Leni Robredo wished President Duterte good health and a successful administration on his birthday yesterday.
“Of course, our birthday wish for him always is good health and the success of his administration because no one will benefit from (these) but us Filipinos,” Robredo said in an interview in Cebu City on Tuesday.
Duterte celebrated his birthday yesterday with his family at his home in Davao City.
Robredo and Duterte had met three times this year: during the commencement exercises of the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City and Philippine National Police Academy in Cavite and the anniversary of the Philippine Army in Taguig City.
The two leaders are rarely seen together in public since Robredo resigned as head of the Housing and Urban Develoment Coordinating Council in December 2016 after she was barred from attending Cabinet meetings.
In an interview with CNN Philippines last month, the Vice President said she would rather keep silent amid controversial issues hounding the Duterte administration than hear her detractors accuse her of itching to replace the President.
“In my case, I try to hold my horses if it’s not too necessary because I’m the Vice President and they always put politics in it,” Robredo said.
“When you voice out your dissent, it’s because you want... certain things happening to change, or certain things happening to stop. It’s not because you want to oust the President. When you voice out your dissent, it’s always the interpretation because you stand to benefit,” she added.
Duterte on right track – Erap
Former president and incumbent Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada also wished Duterte good health and success in his pro-poor programs, especially in his campaign against illegal drugs.
In a telephone interview with The STAR, Estrada said Duterte is on the right track in his campaign to bring peace in the country.
“I hope he will be able to continue all his good programs, especially his campaign against illegal drugs. I wish him good health and more success on his 73rd birthday,” Estrada said.
Duterte’s kind of leadership is what the country needs today, according to Estrada.
“Bringing peace in the country is long overdue. I wish that President Duterte will continue to observe one flag, one armed forces and one Constitution. We must allow him to continue his programs for the greater good of the greatest number of the Filipino people,” Estrada said.
Praise from GMA
Former president and incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday heaped praise on Duterte for his birthday and promised to steadfastly support him.
“Happy birthday to an exemplary leader. Thank you for your trailblazing leadership and service to the Filipino people. Thank you for the years of real friendship,” Arroyo said in a message for the President sent to the media by her staff.
“I wish you fortitude and the best of health so you can continue instituting your programs for real change for our country. You have my unwavering support. God bless you and your family,” Arroyo said.
Senators’ wishes
Senators from the majority bloc wished Duterte good health, strength and success.
“Happy birthday Mr. President. Keep cool and keep healthy. We need you to guide our nation for your full term,” Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto wished Duterte “good health, more wisdom and a successful presidency,” while Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III sent Duterte best wishes and offered prayers for his continued good health.
“As President Duterte turns 73 today, we pray for continuing wisdom, vision, courage and political will; so he alone, with God’s help, may have the capacity to make difficult decisions that will benefit the greatest number of Filipinos, for the greater good, for the longest time, in our blessed country for the sake of our children,” Sen. Gregoro Honasan said in a statement.
Sen. Grace Poe wished good health and also “peace of mind and fulfillment” for Duterte.
Sen. Sonny Angara expressed hopes that Duterte can continue to withstand all the rigors of being President.
“His job is the most stressful so I hope he will be given good health so he can fulfill his duties for our countrymen,” Angara said.
Longer life, wisdom
Administration allies at the House likewise wished Duterte well on his birthday.
“May the Lord give him longer life and wisdom to be able to steer this country toward real growth and progress. He’s the only hope of the Philippines. It makes me proud to be a Mindanaoan,” Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said.
“We love you just the way you are. Don’t go changing to try to please me,” Isabela Rep. Rodito Albano III, a senior member of the 12-man House contingent in the powerful Commission on Appointments, said.
“May you continue to be blessed with good health, infinite wisdom and indefatigable spirit to deal with the multifarious concerns and problems of our nation,” Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe, president of the 46-strong party-list coalition in the House, said.
“I also hope that you will succeed in the war against drugs and poverty and preside over a country which is relatively peaceful, prosperous and stable,” Batocabe added.
“Wish that he could be given by Allah strength and good health so that he could resolve the problem of insurgency in Mindanao as well as the kidnapping and Sulu drugs which have brought down the image of our country,” Sulu Rep. Munir Arbison said.
PNP vows continued support
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa vowed the police would continue supporting Duterte.
Dela Rosa said the entire PNP organization will never waiver in its support to the President and his anti-illegal drugs campaign.
“We will never get tired paddling the ship as long as you are at the helm. Please continue steering the ship until it reaches its drug-free destination,” Dela Rosa said in a text message to reporters.
“We are with you in this journey. Walang iwanan! Happy birthday PRRD, Sir,” he added.
Duterte has extended Dela Rosa’s term indefinitely.
‘Tactician, magician’ President
Chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo lauded Duterte for handling the presidency “with the erudition of a tactician and the dexterity of a magician.”
“As you add another page to your book of life, the gods of destiny appear to be smiling at how you have hurdled the formidable gauntlet they have thrown at you,” Panelo said.
“Surely, you have mastered the art of playing at your foes, vexing your detractors and perplexing your allies as well,” he added.
Panelo said Duterte’s war on drugs is reaping fruits while the country’s economy remains robust. He also claimed that the President’s drive against corruption is on the upswing while his campaign against criminality is taking a toll on criminals. – Helen Flores, Jose Rodel Clapano, Paolo Romero, Jess Diaz, Delon Porcalla, Emmanuel Tupas, Alexis Romero