President Duterte turned sentimental as he closed the groundbreaking ceremony for a public hospital in Pampanga on Sunday night, May 1, saying a brief thank you message to the citizenry for making him a president.
"Now that I am already at the tailend of my administration, I thank everyone who has helped me realize the dreams we have for our country," Duterte said before a crowd of mostly government employees and officials.
Pampanga Governor Dennis Pineda and former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo were among the officials whom Duterte addressed with his brief thank you message as he concluded his speech during the groundbreaking event.
"I'll just take this opportunity, I might not be able to have the time really nor the --maimbita ako uli (I am invited again), wala nang panahon kaya gusto kong galing sa ilalim ng puso ko, salamat for making me President (there's no time left so I want to, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for making me President). Ma'am (Arroyo), maraming salamat talaga (thank you so much)," Duterte said.
The outgoing president was in Clark, Pampanga to lead the groundbreaking ceremony of the Pampanga Provincial Hospital – Clark within the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga. It was his second stop for the day as he was also in San Fernando City to lead the inspection of the ongoing Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) Hospital.
"I am honored to be with you and I commemorate my last Labor Day as President," Duterte said as he went on to urge the public officials to always do their best in serving the country.
"I urge you to remain steadfast in pushing your initiatives to advance the government's holistic approach toward social development," he said.
"Always do your best and remember to serve selflessly in whatever capacity you have. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat (Thank you so much to all of you)," he added.
Duterte was also joined by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Senator Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go, and Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President and Chief Executive Officer Manuel Gaerlan during the groundbreaking ceremony.