President Duterte sent a message of support to a seven-year-old boy battling leukemia, reminding him to always pray to God for his speedy recovery.
In a video message, President Duterte, on his own birthday on March 28, wished for Jacob Wong's speedy recovery after learning that his condition was already improving.
"Hello, Jacob. Balita ko gumagaling ka. Ipagpatuloy mo at 'wag mong kalimutan na pumunta sa doctor, importante 'yan (Hello, Jacob. I heard you were already getting better. Keep it up and don't forget to go to the doctor because that's important)," the President said.
"Kaya mo 'to. Alam ko kaya mo 'to. Alalay ka lang (I know you'll get through this. Just watch out for your health)," he added.
Duterte also told the boy to not forget to pray to God.
"'Wag mong kalimutan ang Diyos, humingi ka ng tulong sa Diyos (Don't forget God, ask for His help)," he said.
"Lakasan mo yung prayer mo para pagalingin ka (Pray fervently so He'll heal you)," he added.
President Duterte's video message to Jacob was posted by his father RR Wong on Facebook Monday, March 29.
"Nakita niya video ni PRRD grabe lipay kaayo masyado si Jacob (Jacob was very happy when he saw President Duterte's video)," he said.
Jacob's family is in Manila to check if he can undergo a bone marrow transplant.
This was not the first time President Duterte expressed support for Jacob. In 2019, videos surfaced showing President Duterte welcoming the boy in his Davao City home. He was shown interacting with him and giving him a gift for Christmas.
Duterte is known to have a soft spot for children diagnosed with cancer. He observes a Christmas tradition of visiting cancer patients at the Southern Philippine Medical Center in Davao City.
In 2018, the President visited pediatric cancer patients in his hometown. Photos sent by Malacañang showed Duterte giving a gift to one of the pediatric cancer patients at the House of Hope, a facility for children with cancer in Davao City.
In 2017, Duterte, sans fanfare, visited several public hospitals and hospices in Manila where he extended financial assistance to institutions that primarily serve abandoned or indigent children.