Prayers, paeans and waxing poetic on Duterte’s 74th

MANILA, Philippines – Despite President Duterte’s tirades against them, Catholic Church leaders have nothing but good wishes for him on his birthday on Thursday.

“I’m praying for his health, wisdom and resolve that he may withstand the rigors of leading our country,” said Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ (CBCP) permanent committee on public affairs.

Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos, head of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People, said they offered special Mass and prayers for the President on Thursday.

God’s gift

“As he celebrates his birthday, may he always see that life is God’s gift and a grace that we are all alive. May he promote life, protect (the) life of every Filipino,” Santos said.

In a video sent to Malacañang reporters, the President was shown blowing the candles on a cake decorated like a Philippine flag as well-wishers sang.

“My wish? That this government will prosper and we won’t make a mistake … It’s a very topsy world and that’s why the Chinese are …” the President said.

He added: “My wish is that we will just continue to progress and prosper as a nation. We will not meddle in other nations’ mess.”

The President said he intended to stay at home in Matina Enclaves, Davao City, and sleep the whole day on Thursday, just as he did on his two previous birthdays as the country’s chief executive.

His children with his ex-wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman, also took to social media to greet him on his special day.

“Thank you, Pa! We are always here to support you. Do rest sometimes, ignore those people pretending to be bright, Inday will take care of them! And I will take care of the crazy ones!” said former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, referring to his sister, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

Mayor Duterte, for her part, posted on her Instagram account a photo of the President tinkering with a tablet with her son.

“A lecture on responsible gadget use by Lolo Digong. Happy birthday PRD (President Rodrigo Duterte)! I wish you good health and happiness,” she said.

In Malacañang, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo waxed poetic in his birthday greetings and compared the President to a “knighted warrior (who) slays the dragon of corruption, axing an unprecedented number of errant officials and scoundrels without regard to their relation to him.”

Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano meanwhile expressed hopes that the President “would channel all his strength, all his anger in upholding our country’s sovereignty and protecting us from those who threaten our democracy and liberty.”

Duterte’s destiny

He added: “May he personally encounter God and accept Him in his life, and together may they lead our nation towards peace and development.”

Former and current members of Duterte’s Cabinet also extended their well-wishes to the President, with senatorial aspirant and former special assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go swearing on Facebook that “I will never leave you until my last breath.”

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, for his part, spoke of Duterte and destiny in the same breath.  “Destiny designed your name: Rodrigo Roa Duterte, 74 years ago on this day, to lead that we may follow, and to follow that we may live, your noble cause within our lives,” Andanar said.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he wished people would understand that the President’s actions are “motivated only by love of country and genuine concern for the welfare of future generations of Filipinos.”

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez described the President as a “true servant leader” who put “country above self! This country is truly fortunate to have you as our leader!”

Former Cabinet secretary Leoncio Evasco called the President “a good friend through thick and thin,” and said that he will pray for Mr. Duterte’s “moral courage.”  —WITH REPORTS FROM JULIE M. AURELIO, MELVIN GASCON AND ORLANDO DINOY, INQUIRER MINDANAO