Netizen criticized President Rodrigo Duterte’s “simple” 76th birthday celebration in Davao City after a video showing a lechon (roasted pig) in front of the president surfaced.
In a post shared by Duterte’s former aid and now Senator Bong Go, Duterte could be seen blowing a single candle planted on a cup of rice.
However, a video that was later deleted showed there is a “lechon” during his celebration. In the Filipino culture, roasted pigs are served during grand celebrations since lechon is costly, especially now that there is a shortage of pork supply in the country due to ASF.
“Acting poor for your birthday photo ops when you’re not really poor is just mocking those who truly have nothing to put on their tables for their own birthdays,” said Bayan Muna Representative Ferdinand Gaite on Twitter.
Meanwhile, Go was quick to defend Duterte.
“Simple lunch lang naman talaga. Sila-sila lang pamilya sa munting tahanan niya sa Davao. Ganun naman mag-birthday PRRD [President Rodrigo Roa Duterte]. Wala pa ngang bihis,” he said, according to GMA News’ Joseph Morong.
Netizens criticize Duterte’s ‘simple’ birthday celebration in Davao City
(It really is just a simple lunch, just the family in his small house in Davao City. That’s really how PRRD celebrates his birthday. No one even gets dressed up.)
“Presidente ‘yan. Ayaw n’yo ba pakainin man lang ng pagkain na kinakain naman ng ordinaryong Pilipino kahit saan…kahit man lang sa kaarawan niya?
“Sa mga bumabatikos kay Pangulo, tingin kayo sa salamin. Mas cute pa ang lechon sa inyo,” Go added.
(He’s the President. Do you not want him to eat what ordinary Filipinos themselves eat anywhere, even on his birthday? To those of you criticizing the President, look in the mirror. The lechon is cuter than you.)
Bong Go also had this today:
“Per PRRD, labinlimang apo at kasambahay ang kumain. Ano pala ipapakain nya?”
(Per PRRD, 15 grandchildren and household helpers ate. What was he supposed to feed them?)
The President would return to Metro Manila today to witness the arrival of one million doses of the Sinovac vaccine donated by China.