As former president Rodrigo Duterte marks his 80th birthday today, Friday, March 28, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go urged Filipinos to reflect on the values of public service, sacrifice, and love for the country that the former chief executive embodied throughout his career.
“Sa araw na ito, nais ko lang iparating ang taos-pusong dasal at suporta kay Tatay Digong. Isa siyang lider na buong buhay ay inalay sa kapakanan ng Pilipino. Hanggang ngayon, ramdam pa rin natin ang kanyang malasakit (On this day, I just want to convey my heartfelt prayers and support to Tatay Digong. He was a leader who dedicated his entire life to the welfare of the Filipino people. To this day, we still feel his concern),” said Go, who is running for reelection in the upcoming May 2025 polls.
In an interview during a motorcade in Caloocan City on March 27, Go recounted how Duterte had made it a personal tradition to quietly celebrate his birthday with cancer patients.
“Nakagawian na po ni dating Pangulong Duterte na mag-simple blowout lang sa mga cancer patients. Eh halos hindi n’ya namimiss ‘yon eh. Eh ngayon wala siya (Former president Duterte used to give simple treats to cancer patients. He hardly misses that. Now he doesn't),” he lamented.
“ Kaya ipagpatuloy ko po ito. Magpapakain po tayo. May mga kaibigan tayo na gustong magpakain rin po sa mga cancer patients (So I will continue this. We will continue the feeding program. We have friends who also want to feed cancer patients),” he said.
Go said the patients deeply miss the former leader, noting the simple and selfless nature of the former president, especially during his birthdays.
Nevertheless, the senator said they would now focus their energies on engagements with the poor and vulnerable, a legacy of simplicity and compassion he vowed to continue.
“Nakikiusap po ako sa mga kababayan natin: ipagdasal po natin si Tatay Digong. Ipagdasal po natin ang kanyang kalusugan. Ipagdasal po natin ang kanyang kaligtasan. Mag-isa lang po s’ya, kawawa po s’ya. At ipagdasal po natin ang kanyang kalayaan (I beg our countrymen: let us pray for Tatay Digong. Let us pray for his health. Let us pray for his safety. He is alone, he is poor. And let us pray for his freedom),” he said.
“Patuloy ang paniniwala natin sa legal na proseso at sa mga institusyong gumaganap ng kanilang tungkulin. Sa ganitong panahon, mas mahalaga na manindigan tayo sa prinsipyo ng katarungan (We continue to believe in the legal process and in institutions that perform their duties. In times like these, it is more important that we stand by the principle of justice),” he added.
When asked if there would be a prayer rally during Duterte's birthday, Go confirmed that over 200 sites around the world—including gatherings led by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs)—would be holding synchronized events in support of the former leader.
“Opo (Yes),” he affirmed. “More than 200 sites all over the world po. Mga OFW sa iba't ibang parte ng buong mundo (they are OFWs around the world),” he said.
“Meron pong prayer rally, sabay-sabay po ito. At kami naman sa Mindanao, sa Davao po kami (There would be a prayer rally held simultaneously. We in Mindanao, we will be in Davao praying),” Go stressed.