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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Duterte @ 80: Palace wishes good health, fortune; reminds his supporters to stay hydrated amid birthday protests

Duterte @ 80: Palace wishes good health, fortune; reminds his supporters to stay hydrated amid birthday protests

Published Mar 28, 2025 04:55 am

At A Glance

  • Castro said there was no order to stop any form of rally, whether they were in support of or against the former president.

Malacañang has wished former president Rodrigo Duterte good health and good fortune because these were what he needed as he celebrated his 80th birthday under the custody of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday, March 28.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY! — Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro reminds supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte to drink plenty of water amid the rising temperatures as they stage protests on the day of his birthday on Friday, March 28. (RTVM/Santi San Juan)

In a press briefing on Friday, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro even sang "Happy Birthday" to the former president.

"We wish [him] more years to come. We also wish [him] good health, good fortune—kailangan po niya 'yon (he needs it)," she said.

While Malacañang has no planned activities to celebrate Duterte's birthday, Castro acknowledged that there were both pro- and anti-Duterte protests held in different parts of the country. She said there was no order to stop any form of rally, whether they were in support of or against the former president.

"Sila'y nagsasabi lang ng kanilang mga hinaing, ng kanilang mga sentiments, ng kanilang mga opinion (They're just expressing their thoughts, sentiments, and opinions. It's just a freedom of expression," she said.

"Wala pong kautusan na pumigil sa anumang gagawing pagtitipon dahil ito po ay constitutional right ng bawat Pilipino (There's no order to stop any gathering as it is the constitutional right of every Filipino)," she added.

Castro even reminded the protesters to take care of their health, noting the rising heat index in the country.

"Lagi lang uminom ng tubig, pumunta sa malililim na lugar, at kaya in other words, ingat (Just keep drinking water, go to shaded places, and in other words, take care)," she said.

The Palace Press Officer, however, hoped that the protesters would not do anything against the law, saying every responsibility has an equivalent obligation.

"Huwag lamang po silang lalagpas at maituturing na ang kanilang mga ginagawa ay labag na po sa batas (They should not just cross the line that their activities are considered illegal)," she said.

"Pag sumigaw, na ibagsak ang gobyerno, isa 'yan. Kapag nagpatuloy ng pananalita— parang to sow fear, i-promote pa yung hatred sa government, bordering the line of inciting to sedition (If they call for the toppling of the government, that's one. If they continue to sow fear, promote hatred to government, bordering the line of inciting to sedition)," she added.

Duterte's supporters are expected to stage rallies in different parts of the country, calling for his return to the Philippines following his arrest and subsequent surrender to the ICC for crimes against humanity on March 11.

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