DAVAO CITY – Thousands of people gathered at dawn on Monday, March 24, outside the house of Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte as he celebrated his birth anniversary.
PEOPLE gather at dawn on Monday, March 24, outside the house of Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte as he celebrates his birth anniversary. (Ivy Tejano)
People from various areas gradually arrived outside the lawmaker’s house around 6 p.m. on Sunday.
They welcomed Rep. Duterte’s birthday at midnight on Monday with candle lighting, offering prayers amid the challenges, singing songs, and extending well wishes to him and his entire family.
Around 700 Muslims also arrived and joined the crowd.
They held a prayer service in celebration of Rep. Duterte’s birthday. The Muslim community has strongly expressed their support for the Duterte family.
The crowd thanked Rep. Duterte for efforts for his constituents and the people of Davao City. They said they have nothing but support and well wishes for his good health.
Rep. Duterte, in a short message read by his staff, thanked everyone for their continued support to him and his father, former Davao City Mayor and President Rodrigo Duterte, and the rest of his family. He said their endless support deeply moved him.
"Inyo kong gipahilak sa inyong suporta sa akoa ug sa akong pamilya, labi na sa akong amahan. Daghang salamat (You’ve brought me to tears with your support for my family and me, especially for my father. Thank you so much),” Rep. Duterte said.
The Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HTL) party and the Partido ng Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) also greeted Rep. Duterte in their official Facebook pages on Monday afternoon.
“May the Almighty bless you with good health, peace, and continued success in your service to the people. May you remain steadfast in your dedication and commitment to the welfare of the first district and the entire Davao City,” the HTL said.
The PDP-Laban thanked Rep. Duterte for his dedicated service to Davao City. Its members are praying for the lawmaker’s good health and success in all his endeavors for the benefit of the people of Davao.