Duterte attends Pacquiao’s birthday party in GenSan

President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday night attended the 39th birthday celebration of Senator Manny Pacquiao in General Santos City.

According to a news release of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, the chief executive during his speech in the celebration held at the KCC Mall, Barangay Lagao, General Santos City, praised Pacquiao, saying that he had "demonstrated the qualities of a true leader—someone who believes that in order to make the Philippines a better country, we have to keep our people on top of our priorities."

"I pray for your good health and also for your family so that you will be able to serve the Filipinos. Continue to inspire and uplift others as we lead them towards a more prosperous and comfortable life," Duterte said.

"You have brought so much pride and joy to our country for being a world champion in the field of boxing...The determination you have shown and the humility you embody in the midst of glorious triumphs are worthy of emulation by our countrymen," he added.

Duterte reiterated his promise of ending all forms of corruption in the government which include "rule on awarding contracts to lowest bidder and use of government money for unnecessary trips abroad or junkets."

"So birthday niya, let us honor — or at least the entire Philippines is listening now — ang gift ko sa kanya is jointly with his personal hatred for corruption," Duterte said. "I join him with the same intensity of hate. And ‘yan ang birthday gift ko para sa kanya, yayariin ko kayong lahat."

He had also warned police scalawags, saying that he is "starting the purging" on those involved with corruption.

"At Wednesday, mga tatlong superintendent, about 90, siguro mga minimum of 60 police, umalis kayo sa PNP," Duterte said. "I am starting the purging at huwag kayong mainsulto kung hindi ka naman tinatamaan, huwag kang magalit kasi ako galit na sa dati eh," he added.

Meanwhile, according to a separate report on Unang Balita, Pacquiao was also surprised by the police personnel in General Santos City as he was thrown into a swimming pool.

Senior Superintendent Romeo Ruel Berango, city director of General Santos City Police Office, said this was part of tradition as they treat Pacquiao as an adopted member of the Philippine National Police Academy Pinagtibay class of 1995.

After Pacquiao's birthday celebration, Duterte went to the Medical Platoon 10th Forward Support Medical Company Service Support Battalion, 10th Infantry Division to visit the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who were wounded-in-action. 

Prior to this, Duterte also graced the 7th lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) year-end gathering in Davao City. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/KG, GMA News