MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte did not pretend to be poor but only showed how simple he is during the celebration of his birth anniversary, Malacaang said Monday.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the President did not receive guests for his birth anniversary celebration except for his immediate family.
“The controversy was whether or not supposedly the President pretended to be poor. I don’t think the President ever pretended to be poor,” he said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel.
“He has always been known as simple and that is why he did not have guests on his birthday,” he added.
On Sunday, Senator …
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