No birthday bash for Duterte at 71

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte blows out a candle to celebrate his 71st birthday in advance during a thanksgiving and worship prayer of Evangelist Apollo Quiboloy’s Kingdom of Jesus Christ held in Lingayen. PHOTO BY WILLIE LOMIBAO / INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON

PRESIDENTIAL candidate and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte spent his birthday Monday at home, without fanfare or a lavish party.

Duterte, who turned 71 Monday, chose to stay away from the public and spend his special day privately with his family.

“There is no party and that has always been his way of celebrating his birthday,” said Duterte’s executive assistant Bong Go.

“Today, he is at home, resting,” Go said, adding that the mayor was enjoying a break from the tight campaign schedule.

He said Duterte was preparing for the battle ahead, with the campaign for the May 9 polls closely approaching its final stretch.

In a recent interview, Duterte also told journalists he would spend the whole of his birthday “at home, sleeping.”

“That has always been the way I celebrate,” he said.

On Sunday, during a service offered for him by Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, Duterte said his only wish was for “things to improve in my country.”

“In the Philippines, we always pray for food,” he said. “I pray God will provide food for the poor.” He also prayed for the sick.

Duterte’s daughter, Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is running for mayor of Davao City, posted on Instagram a photo of her father and her son, Stingray, who is celebrating his 3rd birthday today.  Niña P. Calleja

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