In the midst of a global health crisis and under a cloud of gloom that has engulfed the horizon that placed in tatters our economy and placed the lives of our countrymen upside down in this beautiful country of ours, the President is marking his 76th birthday today, March 28.
PRRD will again self-quarantine himself on his birthday following the advice of the Presidential Security Group as well as his doctors for his protection given that his presidential duties have exposed him to officials and other persons around him. He will certainly continue with his presidential duties even under quarantine and while celebrating the quietude of the day of his birth.
His only birthday wish for our countrymen is to observe the minimum health protocols for their safety and protection, and the total eradication of the coronavirus, as the country is experiencing a surge in the number of infected Covid-19 cases.
For a man in whose hands lie the heavy burden of steering the ship of state in these perilous times, he will be contented savouring the simple joy of playing with his grandchildren in Davao where he is now.
It does not, like everyone of us, shield him, from any potential transmission of the dreaded disease, which for a year, he endeavoured to stop it as he leads his people in the war of survival against the coronavirus which has placed them, including himself, on the brink of disaster and death.
Consistent with his daredevil character and deep filial ties, the President, while being ensconced in relative safety with his loved ones in his comfort zone, will continue with his manning the ramparts against the enemy, with unsurprising dexterity.
At times the President expresses regrets for allowing himself to respond to the clamor of the people to run for President, as having been placed in the highest post of the land he carries the responsibility of serving and protecting the Filipino people at all cost. The enormity,magnitude and the complexity of such task can go beyond the capability of even the most prepared and formidable individual.
Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s presidency has been characterised with his unwavering war against drugs, criminality, corruption, rebellion and terrorism. In between those unrelenting aggression against the enemies of the state and order, his mettle as a leader has been tested by powerful typhoons, rampaging floods, thundering earthquakes, and terrifying volcano eruptions that wreak havoc and destruction to the towns and cities, as well as to edges of the archipelago.
As if these human and natural monstrosities were not enough to test the nerves and leadership of this President, our country is now haemorrhaging as a consequence of the pandemic, as he continue to shepherd us away and safe from this unseen lethal invader of a disease that has crept into our people’s lifeblood, killing thousands and placing them into their graves, as well as putting the country’s economy in shambles.
Under these foreboding and grim circumstances how can we greet him with a hearty Happy Birthday!?
But the birth of a person is an event that can not pass without recognizing it as a gift from the Almighty. We take therefore this occasion to thank God for giving life to this maverick of a President, and for lending us his time and his indefatigable spirit to serve and protect the people with his unorthodox ways and selfless brand of public service that puts to risk his life, honor and the presidency.
The nation’s prayers for your good health and well being go to you Mr. President on this day of your birth. Long life! We pray that the Almighty continue to give you enough good health and divine guidance as you safely navigate our people through the rampaging waves of this treacherous ocean of a dreadful disease. God bless.
Salvador S. Panelo
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel
