On her 44th birthday, Sara Duterte says, 'Mahalin natin ang DepEd'

On her 44th birthday, Vice President-elect Sara Duterte asked the public to love the Department of Education (DepEd), which she will lead under the Marcos administration.

In a Facebook post, the daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte and outgoing mayor of Davao City expressed gratitude to those who have greeted her on her birthday.

"Salamat po sa mga greetings! Mahal ko kayo! Mahalin natin ang DepEd! Mahalin natin ang Pilipinas!" Duterte said on Tuesday.

(Thank you for all the greetings. I love you all! Let's love DepEd, let's love the Philippines.)

Duterte was picked by President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to lead the DepEd under his administration. The two ran in tandem in the May 2022 elections.

In a separate Facebook post, Marcos greeted Duterte and called her the "best running mate and BFF anyone could wish for."

President Duterte, meanwhile, wished his daughter "good health and success in her role as the second highest official of the land," according to acting presidential spokesman Martin Andanar.

House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco also greeted Duterte as he branded the incoming vice president as a role model and inspiration to all Filipinos, especially to the new generation.

"It is truly an honor and privilege to be your friend and ally. Enjoy your special day, and may your years ahead be filled with good health, strength and happiness. Good luck on your new role as incoming Vice President and Education Secretary, and I wish you the very best that life has to offer," Velasco said in a statement.

For his part, House Majority Leader Ferdinand Martin Romualdez wished Duterte a long life, excellent health, and more opportunities to serve Filipinos.

"We thank the Lord for giving her a full life, and we pray that He will continue to bless our incoming Vice President with good health and strength of will as she faces the next big challenge of her life," Romualdez, who served as Duterte's campaign manager in the recent polls, said.

"She has the right mix of compassion, courage, and leadership that the people need for guidance and inspiration during tough times like this pandemic. We are all lucky to have her," he added. 

Liloan, Cebu Mayor Christina Frasco, Duterte's spokesperson, also greeted the incoming vice president on her special day.

"May the Sto. Niño’s grace be ever upon you as you serve our nation with distinction and continue to inspire and instill love of country in millions of Filipinos!" Frasco said in a Facebook post. —KBK/VBL, GMA News