Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan and Vice Mayor John Marvin "Yul Servo" Nieto led the capital city in greeting President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. as he turned 67 on Friday, September 13.
Lacuna-Pangan, on behalf of the members of the city's ruling party Asenso Manileño, said they wish the president good health, continued strength and wisdom to lead the country until the end of his term.
The mayor also said that she joins those who pray for the President to succeed in all his programs aimed at improving the lives of all Filipinos, stressing that his success will provide a more prosperous and brighter future for the country.
"Ang tagumpay ng Pangulo ay tagumpay nating lahat kaya suportahan natin siya (The success of the President is the success of us all so let's support him)," said Lacuna-Pangan.
She called on everyone to cooperate and remain united under the efforts of President Marcos, Jr. to lead the Philippines to a more progressive country.
"Isang maligaya, mapagpala at makabuluhang kaarawan po sa inyo, Pangulong Marcos, Jr. Dalangin po namin ang inyong patuloy na lakas ng pangangatawan upang patuloy ninyong magampanan ang inyong tungkulin sa bansa at sa milyon-milyong mga Pilipino na umaasa sa inyo (A happy, blessed and meaningful birthday to you, President Marcos, Jr. We pray for your continued physical strength so that you can continue to fulfill your duty to the country and to the millions of Filipinos who depend on you)," the mayor said.
Meanwhile, Nieto said that the local government is with the President in giving priority to the less privileged and wished him success in promoting stability and unity in the country.
The city government also thanked the President for always including Manila and its residents in the national government's beneficiaries when it comes to social programs.
It will be recalled that Lacuna-Pangan joined the national party, Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) headed by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, to boost the city's programs for the residents of Manila.
She said she joined the Lakas-CMD as it aligns with her own principles and that it is a good and gainful platform for all Manileños.
In joining the biggest political party in Congress and the country, she said it is expected that the collective efforts to support the agenda of the President and his vision for the "Bagong Pilipinas" initiatives will be further enhanced.
Romualdez highlighted the strategic importance of the new members in bolstering the party's support for the programs and policies of the President.