At 77, his birthday wish is for clean, honest, and safe elections. It’s not exactly a common birthday wish, but the one who’s celebrating his birthday tomorrow, March 28, is not an ordinary man beginning an ordinary chapter of his life.
He is President Rodrigo Duterte, who will simply be private citizen Digong on July 1, 2022.
Communications Secretary Andanar made this statement a day before Duterte marks his 77th birthday, his last birthday as the country's president, on Monday, March 28.
In a statement on Sunday, March 27, Andanar said the President's wish is for the country to have an honest election on May 9, 2022.
"His birthday wish for this year is to have a clean, fair, and honest election in May 2022, as he has time and again underscored the importance of a peaceful transfer of power as part of his enduring legacy," he said.
In line with his family's tradition, Duterte, according to Andanar, will have a simple and quiet family gathering in Davao City where was mayor for 22 years and four months.
Meanwhile, the acting Palace spokesman joined the public in wishing President Duterte a happy birthday.
"Our prayer for the Almighty is to continue giving the President good physical and mental health in the years to come so he may carry on serving the interest of and bringing betterment to the lives of Filipinos," he said.
According to Andanar, Duterte's leadership resulted in meaningful change for many Filipinos.
"We express our sincere gratitude to the Chief Executive whose strong and decisive leadership and genuine compassion for every Filipino have inspired officials in government and have resulted in positive and meaningful change to the lives of a great number of our people," he said.
On Friday, President Duterte said that at the age of 77, he already feels fulfilled with everything he has accomplished as a father and as a government worker.
"Fulfilled na ako sa lahat ng bagay. Wala na akong mahingi (I feel fulfilled about everything. I couldn't ask for more)," he said.
"Ngayon na pabalik na ako, matanda na man ako, 77 years old, ewan ko kung anong magdating sa akin... Fulfilled na ako (Now that I'm coming home, I'm old, I'm 77. I don't know what's in store for me. But I'm fulfilled now)," he added.