President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (File photo)
MANILA – Malacañang said it is plain “crab mentality” when critics described President Rodrigo Duterte as pretending to be poor when he celebrated his 76th birthday in his hometown, Davao City on Sunday.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this remark after photos shared by Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, his former aide, showed Duterte blowing out a candle placed on a cup of rice.
Duterte’s birthday celebration drew flak after photos and videos showing there was lechon served during the occasion emerged online.
“I don’t think the President even pretended to be poor. He has always been known as simple and that is why he did not have guests on his birthday. There may have been food served for special occasions, but that did not violate any sense of decency,” Roque said in an interview over ANC’s Headstart.
Roque also noted that Duterte made “no extravagant show of wealth” when he celebrated his birthday with immediate members of his family.
“It’s crab mentality really for anyone to suggest that the President was pretending. No, the President never pretends! He is known for his authenticity. He has simple celebrations and I think that’s what happened to his birthday,” he added.
In a Palace press briefing aired over PTV-4, Roque said that issues over Duterte's 76th birthday should be laid to rest.
"Ano pa bang gusto niyong selebrasyon ng isang nakaupong Presidente? Wala pong makakapagsabi na magarbo ang ating Presidente. Sabihin na nila lahat hindi po nila masasabing magarbo (What kind of celebration do you want for a sitting President? Nobody can say that the President is extravagant. They can say everything, but they can't say he's extravagant)," he said.
Roque assured that Duterte remains to be “as healthy as any 76-year-old could be” after turning a year older.
“He retains to have a very active calendar and he continues to discharge the functions of the presidency at the time of pandemic,” he said.
Roque also dispelled rumors that Duterte has already been inoculated with a Covid-19 vaccine developed by Chinese state-owned pharmaceutical company Sinopharm.
“I don’t think so that’s why he’s very keen on having Sinopharm enter the country,” he said.
Duterte spent his 76 birthday on Sunday with his family in Davao City.
He is expected to return to Manila to welcome the arrival of the one million Sinovac vaccines bought by the government on Monday afternoon.
Duterte has been vocal about his preference for the Sinopharm vaccine. (PNA)
