MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is looking forward to his retirement in his hometown Davao City, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar said that the President was “upbeat” during the “thanksgiving party” for his Cabinet held Monday evening, a month before his term ends.
“The President was upbeat last night. He expressed gratitude to past and present Cabinet officials for helping him run the country and he looks forward to his retirement in Davao City and spending more time with family and his grandchildren,” Andanar said in a Palace press briefing.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary Melvin Matibag shared that the President seemed satisfied with the accomplishments of his administration.
“During the Cabinet meeting, I repeatedly heard him saying na, ‘Hindi ako nagkamali sa mga pinili ko na miyembro ng Gabinete na ginawa talaga ‘yung trabaho.’ So, we are happy, all of us are happy na naging parte tayo ng journey ng ating Pangulong Duterte at nakapag-contribute lahat ng maganda,” he said in the same briefing.
(During the Cabinet meeting, I repeatedly heard him saying, “I was not wrong in choosing the Cabinet members who really did their jobs.” So, we are happy, all of us are happy that we were part of the journey of President Duterte and we contributed well.)
“So, I think the President is satisfied at masaya doon sa nagawa ng kanyang miyembro ng Gabinete (and happy with the projects of his Cabinet members),” added Matibag.
When asked about Duterte’s final instructions, Matibag said that the President’s general instruction is to always love the country and serve correctly.
Duterte is set to step down from office by noon of June 30. His successor is president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the running mate of his daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio.
READ: Bongbong Marcos: President Duterte can join Cabinet if he wants to