MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte told former Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano not to “feel bad” about recent events as he greeted the latter on his 50th birthday on Wednesday.
The President lauded the Taguig lawmaker for his achievements in a video message shared Wednesday night by Cayetano on Facebook.
“Alan Peter Cayetano, today is a very special day and I’d like to share the glorious moment of another milestone in your life. You have achieved so much and you need not really feel bad about everything that transpired during the last few days,” Duterte said.
“You did your best, and next time, given the chance, I am sure that you will succeed and do better. Today, I just want to say, Mabuhay ka! Happy birthday!” he added.
The speakership row at the House of Representatives recently ended with Cayetano getting ousted and eventually replaced by Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco as Speaker.
Amid the showdown, Cayetano asserted that celebrating his 50th birthday as Speaker of the lower legislative body was part of the term-sharing deal between him and Velasco as brokered by Duterte in 2019.
Cayetano, for his part, thanked the President and said he was proud to have stood beside him “from the very beginning.” The two were running mates in the 2016 national elections.
“Thank you, Mr. President. Maraming salamat sa pagbati, pagtitiwala, at sa pagpapaalala na sa public service – there are no regrets,” Cayetano said.
“I am proud to serve GOD and Country. Proud to have stood beside you from the very beginning, and I continue to appreciate all the opportunities that have been given me – in Congress, in the Department of Foreign Affairs, and in organizing the very successful SEA [Southeast Asian] Games,” he also said.