President Duterte, family visits Jollibee branch in Hong Kong

President Rodrigo R. Duterte makes an unannounced visit to a Jolibee outlet in Hong Kong before proceeding to Kai Tak Cruise Terminal where he was scheduled to attend the gathering with the Filipino community on April 12, 2018. Joining the President are his partner Honeylet Avanceña, their daughter Veronica, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go While dining, the President and his trusted aide invited Alma O. Pardillo, an OFW based in Hong Kong, to break bread with them while hearing the latter’s concerns. The President then vowed to provide Pardillo assistance so she could get proper medical attention for her 9-year old child, who is suffering from a lung ailment. The President also committed to shoulder the roundtrip airfare of Pardillo so she can go home to attend the college graduation of her child and to be with her children whom she hasn’t seen for a long time. PHOTOS BY TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Hong Kong — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and his family on Thursday, April 12, visited a branch of Filipino fast-food chain Jollibee at Whampoa, Hung Hom.

On the last day of his working visit here, the President dropped by Jollibee along with his partner Honeylet Avanceña, daughters Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Kitty, and his grandson, Stingray.

The President was also joined by Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano and wife Taguig City Mayor Laarni Cayetano.

He and his family arrived shortly before 6:00 p.m. and were warmly greeted by people at the fast-food chain.

The President personally placed their orders at the counter. While waiting for their meals, he granted “selfie” requests and chatted with Filipinos who were exultant to see him.

President Duterte grants OFW’s wish

Secretary Bong Go then invited overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Alma Pardillo, a 44-year-old household worker here, to the President’s table.

The ecstatic Pardillo shed tears upon meeting the President and his family.

During her conversation with the President, Pardillo shared that she badly wants to visit her family in the Philippines.

She wishes to personally check the condition of his son who is suffering from a serious lung ailment.

She also hoped to celebrate the graduation of his two children, one finished a business administration degree last month and another one will complete an accounting technology degree at the end of April.

President Duterte immediately granted Pardillo’s wish for roundtrip tickets. The OFW said she was allowed by her employer to have a two-week vacation.

Before leaving, the President greeted the Filipinos waiting outside and told them: “Okay na tayo. Okay na ang bayan.”

The President then proceeded to Kai Tak Cruise Terminal to meet with around 2,500 members of the Filipino community. (PND)

Popular

Corruption issues won’t affect PH chairship of ASEAN 2026 —PBBM

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday stressed that local political issues of any member state will not overshadow the regional and...

PH to raise South China Sea Code of Conduct as 2026 ASEAN chair —PBBM

By Brian Campued The Philippines is in the process of putting together the different elements where it believes the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)...

ASEAN, China sign free trade upgrade

By Brian Campued President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday joined fellow leaders at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the signing of...

PBBM notes maritime cooperation as key for regional peace, stability

By Brian Campued Citing the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel as well as the ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and the...