President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – For his 74th birthday, what President Rodrigo Duterte wished for was for the Philippines to “progress and prosper” and be spared from conflict with other nations.
Duterte expressed this aspiration on Wednesday (March 27), eve of his birthday, at the Matina Enclaves in Davao City as he blew out the candle on his Philippine flag-themed birthday cake.
A video taken by Matina Enclaves project manager Wena Valenzona showed Duterte was surprised by his staff as they sang: “Happy birthday to you, may the Lord God bless you!”
“My wish… Well, that this government will prosper and huwag sana tayo masali sa – it’s a very topsy-[turvy] world kaya pati ‘yong mga Chinese eh medyo… My wish is that we will just continue to progress and prosper as a nation. Hindi tayo sasali diyan sa mga gulu-gulo sa ibang bayan,” Duterte said.
It was unclear why Duterte mentioned the Chinese but he met with Song Tao, Minister of the International Department of the Communist Party of China (IDCPC) Central Committee of China, on the same night.
In his meeting with Song, Duterte assured China that his administration had nothing to do with the complaint filed by Former Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales against Chinese President Xi Jinping before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He then wished everyone happiness.
“I wish you all happiness. Hindi naman ako nag-blow out talaga but maybe next week i-blow out ko kayo,” he said.
“I will go (to) my house. I’ll be sleeping all day,” he added.
READ: Duterte on 74th birthday: I just want to stay at home and sleep
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