Robredo's birthday wish for Duterte: Good health, success in governance

Vice President Leni Robredo has two wishes for President Rodrigo Duterte's 73rd birthday: good health and success in his governance.

"Siyempre parati nating birthday wish 'yung good health, 'yung success sa administration kasi 'yung success naman ng administrasyon ng ating Pangulo, wala naman doong ibang makikinabang kung hindi tayong mga Pilipino," Robredo said in a 24 Oras report by Marisol Abdurahman.

Duterte had a simple celebration with family in his hometown in Davao City. His children, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, took to social media their greetings and well wishes for their beloved father.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, in his message to the Chief Executive, underscored how Filipinos benefited from Duterte's "competent leadership."

"No doubt, his long experience in public office, as prosecutor, congressman and Davao City Mayor, has adequately prepared him to assume the highest elective position and to lead the country towards political stability and sustained economic growth," Alvarez said.

"We join the rest of the nation in wishing the President good health and long life in the years ahead," he added.

Former Senator Bongbong Marcos, a staunch ally of Duterte, greeted the top leader with a joke and cuss word, "Eh turo sa akin magsalita nang diplomatic atsaka malumanay, pero dito sa nakaraang dalawang taon... mukhang mas effective yata 'yung style niyo eh. Happy Birthday, my friend! 'Wag niyo nang intindihin ang mga p— ina!"

Duterte's supporters have also extended their birthday greetings for the President as well as their sentiments.

"May kaunting problema sa tinitirhan namin," said Omar Batara, president of the Muslim-Christian Association.

"Kami po'y patuloy na umaasa sa kanyang mga ipinangako na wawakasan niya ang kontraktuwalisasyon sa Pilipinas," added Bong Palad, secretary of Philippine Airlines Employees Association (PALEA).

Progressive group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, meanwhile, wished for the resumption of peace negotiations between the government and communist groups. —Anna Felicia Bajo/JST, GMA News