President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Tuesday was joined by family and friends in a birthday luncheon at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang Palace to mark his 65th birthday.
In a video uploaded by Social Welfare Secretary Erwin Tulfo on social media, several government officials allied with the President sang a birthday song for him.
On the stage with Marcos Jr. were Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, and Narvacan, Ilocos Sur Mayor Chavit Singson.
Cabinet members were also present at the event like Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz Angeles, Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, and Agrarian Reform Conrado Estrella III.
Some senators like Bong Revilla, JV Ejercito, Cebu Rep. Duke Frasco, Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, and San Jose del Monte City Rep. Rida Robes attended the event.
The luncheon followed Marcos' participation in the nationwide tree planting in Rizal and the signing of an executive order that imposes a year-long moratorium on the payment of land amortization and interest payments.
Government officials joined scores of supporters across the country in greeting the President a happy birthday on Tuesday.
Vice President Duterte thanked Marcos for allowing her to fulfill her duties as a public official and also as a mother.
She expressed warm wishes for the President as he braced for the "difficult road ahead."
"I wish God's favor upon you as you celebrate your birthday and pray that you are given the strength and wisdom for the difficult road ahead. Happy Birthday! I wish you good health and happiness," she said.
Press Secretary Angeles also wished the President good health.
"To our good and loving President Bongbong Marcos, a happy and meaningful 65th birthday to you! We wish you good health so that you can continue to fulfill our duty to the country and to millions of Filipinos," Angeles wrote in a social media post.
Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said she and other officials are witnesses to the President's "unyielding resolve" for public service regardless of challenges he has encountered along the way.
"By embodying resilience and humility and espousing true nation-building and unity, you have truly gained the confidence and trust of the Filipino people," she said.
Tulfo expressed support for the president's goal of helping the nation rise from the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We at the DSWD are one with you in your mission of including every Filipino towards pandemic and economic recovery," Tulfo said.
