Duterte greets Cayetano a happy birthday

President Rodrigo Duterte sent word of encouragement to former House Speaker Alan Cayetano on the latter’s 50th birthday celebration yesterday.

The President lauded Taguig’s representative for his achievements in a video message shared Wednesday night by Cayetano on Facebook.

“Alan Peter Cayetano, today is a very special day, and I’d like to share the glorious moment of another milestone in your life. You have achieved so much, and you need not really feel bad about everything that transpired during the last few days,” Duterte said.

“You did your best, and next time, given the chance, I am sure that you will succeed and do better. Today, I just want to say, Mabuhay ka! Happy birthday!” he added.

The speakership feud between now House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco ended with Cayetano being ousted from his post.

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Duterte greets Cayetano a happy birthday

Amid the row, Cayetano said he wanted to celebrate his 50th birthday as the House Speaker. He said it was part of the term-sharing agreement between him and Velasco as brokered by the President last year.

Cayetano is from the Nacionalista Party and has sought to consolidate his coalition alliances, including with National Unity Party, Lakas-CMD, and allied party-list groups. He was also Duterte’s running mate during the 2016 national elections.

Velasco, meanwhile, is also known as a supporter of Duterte. Lord Velasco and his wife Rowena Velasco are close to the President’s daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

Cayetano, for his part, thanked Duterte and said he was proud to have stood beside him “from the very beginning.”

“Thank you, Mr. President. Maraming salamat sa pagbati, pagtitiwala, at sa pagpapaalala na sa public service – there are no regrets,” Cayetano said.

“I am proud to serve GOD and Country. Proud to have stood beside you from the very beginning, and I continue to appreciate all the opportunities that have been given me – in Congress, in the Department of Foreign Affairs, and in organizing the very successful SEA [Southeast Asian] Games,” Cayetano added.