MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo wished good health, guidance, and wisdom for President Rodrigo Duterte as he turned 76 on Sunday.
“Baka makalimutan natin birthday ni Pangulo ngayon. Birthday ni Pangulo, so happy birthday po,” Robredo said in her weekly radio show.
(Before we forget, it’s the President’s birthday today. Happy birthday!)
“Parati ko namang sinasabi na lagi siyang damay sa dasal natin, ‘di ba? Na guidance, wisdom, kasi iyong pagdedesisyon para sa bansa ay hindi basta-basta. So sana—sana magabayan ng tamang pagdedesisyon kasi iyong ano naman, Ka Ely, iyong success ng Pangulo ay success para sa buong bansa,” she said, when asked of her birthday wish for Duterte.
(I have always said that he is always included in our prayers right? Guidance, wisdom, because deciding for the country is not easy. I hope he is guided in making the right decision because the success of the President is the success of the whole country.)
Robredo likewise wished good health for Duterte as the country continues to face the threats of COVID-19.
“Saka siguro lalo sa panahon ngayon, good health. Kasi nakakatakot ngayon, ngayon binabasa natin hindi na lang iyong mga may—hindi na lang seniors iyong mga tinatamaan na grabe, pati mga bata,” Robredo said.
(And also because of the situation these days, I wish him good health. It’s scary these days, not only seniors but also children are getting sick.)
“Kaya ang wish natin kay Pangulo na good health, wish natin para sa lahat. Wish natin para sa lahat,” she went on.
(That’s why we wish good health for the President, the same wish we have for everybody.)
In a press briefing Saturday, Malacañang said Duterte will be celebrating his birthday in Davao City. The President will return to Manila on Monday to welcome the arrival of the procured one million doses of Sinovac’s CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccines.