Outgoing President Duterte was “upbeat” and looking forward to his life as a private citizen in his hometown of Davao during his last Cabinet meeting on Monday, May 30.
“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,” Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said during a press briefing on Tuesday, May 31.
Cabinet Secretary Melvin Matibag also said the President was grateful to his Cabinet members and spouses for helping his administration.
After the meeting, Duterte hosted a thanksgiving dinner with his official family, even treating them to a song number and staying until past 12 midnight.
In a video, the President was seen singing “Ikaw” with partner Honeylet Avanceña sitting beside him.
“It’s like a family na parang (like) celebrating also the victory of the administration, iyong mga nagawa ng administration. Nagpasalamat sa mga miyembro ng gabinete . . . pati na rin sa mga espouses ng mga members ng Cabinet (what the administration did. He thanked the members of the Cabinet . . . including the spouses of the members of the Cabinet),” Matibag added.
Aside from treating them to a song with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) and photo opportunities, the Cabinet secretary said the President did not have any last reminders other than the intention to work “until the last day.”
READ: Duterte meets with Cabinet members, spouses; thanks them for job well done
Duterte, who earlier rejected President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s offer for him to stay in government as his drug czar, was very thankful to his Cabinet during the meeting.
Matibag said he “repeatedly” said that he was not mistaken in choosing members of his Cabinet as they did their jobs.
“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 (that we became a part of the journey of our President Duterte and we contributed well),” he added.
Many of the Cabinet secretaries “will graduate with honors” so the President “is satisfied.”
Duterte will step down at noon on June 30 as Marcos is set to take office as President.
There is no word yet if there will be a meeting between the outgoing and incoming presidents before the June 30 inauguration day.