PRESIDENT Duterte hosted a thanksgiving dinner for his appointees and members of his official family after convening his last full Cabinet meeting on Monday night.
Cabinet Secretary Melvin Matibag and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the President was in a good mood. During the meeting and dinner, he thanked the Cabinet and said he did a good job in choosing the right people to work with him during his six-year presidency.
Matibag said that during the 54th Cabinet meeting, the department heads reported about the major accomplishments of their agencies and submitted their recommendation of programs and projects that should be sustained or undertaken by the next administration.
He, however, did not elaborate.
He said the President also reminded everyone that they should continue to work until their last day in office, on June 30.
“It’s the last Cabinet meeting of the Duterte administration, the full Cabinet meeting. But it doesn’t mean that we will stop working after that,” he said, adding the President would convene the Cabinet anew if the need arises.
Andanar said there was no indication yet that the President will soon conclude his weekly Talk to the People address, which is usually preceded by a meeting with select members of the Cabinet, especially those involved in the anti-coronavirus disease campaign.
Before the meeting, a “Mickey Go Philippines” Funko Pop — the Disney character Mickey Mouse in a Barong Tagalog — was given to each Cabinet member by Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo. Photos from the Cabinet meeting showed the souvenirs were across each Cabinet member.
Matibag said after the meeting, the President hosted dinner for past and present Cabinet members and their spouses.
He said the dinner was a light and relaxed moment, where the President even rendered songs such as his favorite “Ikaw” by Regine Velasquez. He said the Philippine Harmonic Orchestra was also present to entertain them.
“It was a celebration. He thanked them because for the last six years, a lot of sacrifices were made by Cabinet officials. The achievements of the administration were recognized, and the President also thanked the spouses for allowing the Cabinet members to serve the public,” Matibag said in mixed English and Filipino.
Aside from Cabinet members, former Special Assistant to the President and Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go was also present.
Andanar said yesterday that Duterte is expected to retire after his term ends on June 30 and stay in Davao with his family, especially his grandchildren.
