(Eagle News) — Today, March 28, is President Rodrigo Duterte’s 72nd birthday and for him, the greatest gift would be for him to spend some private time with his family, and for Filipinos to pray for him so he could have more strength and time to serve the country.
“I only have one wish actually. Nakuha ko na lahat. No more gifts except maybe a prayer to God for my country. I’ve already reached the apex of my career,” he said.
For the President, he does not need expensive gifts or any pricey material possessions.
“Material things, I cannot and I no longer need. I’m 72 years old. Give or take the reality of it all, I’ve got five or seven years. I’m about ready by that time also by the time,” he explained.
“My wish really, my prayer to God, is that bigyan Niya ako ng kaunting lakas na lang, or more time because it is needed. Twenty-four hours really is not enough for the presidency, unless you want to sleep more than just four hours,” he said.
Duterte explained how he spends his time as President, how he has to take time to really understand things before he makes a decision. And of course, the lack of sleep.
“I get to read a lot of state documents, but I have to be careful because I am a lawyer, I take time really to understand what I’m approving. Mahirap na po ma-impeach. No more, pag na-impeach tayo. So I have to be extra judicious,” he said.
For the 72-year old Philippine president whose working hours and work ethic had surprised many observers, he only asks God for “a little more time” and “a little more strength” to do the work required as the leader of the nation.
And for more people to understand what he is doing for the country.
“I only ask God to give me a little bit of time, a little strength to surmount the problems of the country and that I’ll be able not only to solve but to mitigate the rigors of governance. Ang hinihingi ko lang po tulong lang sa Diyos, and that people will understand what i’m doing,” Mr. Duterte said.
The President said he is not one for drama, or lavish celebrations, even when he and his siblings were still young.
“Historically, ayaw kong magpa-drama. Pero kami noon. Kasi nagtitipid yung pamilya. Everyone of us, most of my siblings ko, we just sleep it off the day,” he said on celebrating their birthdays.
No expensive gifts please, says the President
And for those who would still insist on giving him expensive gifts, he again tells them he does not need them.
“You know i’m not trying to be a spoiler. Wala rin akong drama kasi totoo,” he said.
“If you have something for me, some are very expensive, you know I do not need it anymore. Tsaka maski bigyan nyo ako ng mga diamante for every finger. (Even if you give me a diamond for every finger), I cannot wear it. otherwise I’d look stupid, and even watches and all,” the President said.
“I stick with just what the ordinary people wear,” he said.
For President Duterte, he had already “reached the apex of anybody’s dream.”
“Kakasabi ko lang nga, naibigay na ng Diyos ang lahat. Because God will only give you the things that you deserve. he does not give you things that you do not deserve, or are not entitled to,” Mr. Duterte said.
Greatest gift for President Duterte
But if there is one gift he would want, it would be time during his special day to spend with his newest grandson, Marko Digong “Stonefish” Duterte Carpio (youngest son of his eldest daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and husband lawyer Manases Carpio) and the rest of his children and grandchildren on his 72nd birthday.
“I would be very glad to spend it with my grandson, Stone, and the rest of my children and grandchildren,” he says of his birthday. “That would be the greatest gift that I can ask in this planet.”