Duterte’s birthday wish: Clean, fair, honest polls

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte will have a “simple” and “quiet” birthday celebration with his family in his hometown Davao City today, Malacañang said yesterday.

The Chief Executive turns 77.

“We join all our countrymen in wishing our beloved President Rodrigo Roa Duterte a happy 77th birthday on March 28,” acting presidential spokesman and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement. “President Duterte will mark the occasion with a simple and quiet celebration in Davao City, in line with his family’s tradition.”

Duterte’s birthday wish, according to Andanar, is to have “a clean, fair, and honest election in May 2022.”

Andanar said the President has time and again underscored the importance of a peaceful transfer of power as part of his enduring legacy.

“Our prayer for the Almighty is to continue giving the President good physical and mental health in the years to come so he may carry on serving the interest of and bringing betterment to the lives of Filipinos,” he added.

Malacañang also expressed its “sincerest gratitude” to the Chief Executive “whose strong and decisive leadership and genuine compassion for every Filipino have inspired officials in government.”

Duterte earlier said he feels fulfilled as he was able to deliver his promises to the people. His term will end on June 30.

He also said he could not ask for anything more, especially since his children are doing well on their own.

“I have accomplished my job. I have a daughter running for vice president, and a son for congressman and one other as mayor. I am fulfilled,” he said in a speech in Davao City on Friday.

The President, however, said anyone who aspires for the presidency is a “fool.”

Duterte has not endorsed any presidential candidate, according to Malacañang, despite confirming his recent meeting with presidential hopeful Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The PDP-Laban faction, chaired by Duterte, officially endorsed Marcos’ presidential bid last week. Marcos is the running mate of Duterte’s daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.