Duterte to spend 74th birthday in hometown Davao City —Palace

Just like in previous years, President Rodrigo Duterte will be spending his birthday with his family in his hometown Davao City, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Duterte will turn 74 years old on Thursday.

“The same celebration. He stays in the house and with the family,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said at a news conference.

Days before his birthday, Duterte expressed weariness over the criticisms he had been receiving in connection with his administration's war on drugs and criminality.

At a campaign rally of his party PDP-Laban in Marikina City on March 20, Duterte indicated he was looking forward to the end of his term. 

"Ako matanda na. Ngayong buwan na ito mag 74 na ako. P— ina mo kasi pagod na ako sa inyo... Naghahanap lang ako talaga ng lusot na para makapagpahinga na. Pagod na rin ako kaya do not f—k with me," Duterte said.

On his 72nd birthday in 2017, Duterte got a surprise visit from his grandchildren including the youngest in the brood, Marko Digong, son of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and lawyer Manases Carpio.

Veronica, his daughter with common-law wife Honeylet Avanceña, hugged the President who was photographed in bed wearing a white shirt and shorts. 

Duterte also had a simple gathering with his family including his grandchildren for his 73rd birthday last year. —KBK, GMA News