Veronica “Kitty” Duterte turned 22 on Friday confined to a hospital bed, but her godfather, Sen. Bong Go, made sure the occasion was not unmarked.
Go published a birthday message for the youngest child of former President Rodrigo Duterte on Facebook Friday evening, visiting her in person as well to check on her condition and offer support.
“Maligayang kaarawan, Kitty! Magpagaling ka kaagad. Nawa’y pagkalooban ka ng mahabang buhay, mabuting kalusugan, at kaligayahan,” the senator wrote.
In the same post, Go described his goddaughter as a woman of strength who carries a spirit reminiscent of her father. “Isa kang matatag na babae, may pusong katulad ng sa papa mo,” he added.
The birthday comes at a difficult time for the Duterte family. Go noted that this marks the second consecutive year Kitty has celebrated without her father present — Rodrigo Duterte remains in ICC detention facing crimes against humanity charges stemming from the drug war killings that defined his administration.
Go also used the post to thank Kitty’s boyfriend, Vic Singson, along with close friends who came to visit. “Salamat din BM Vic Singson sa pag-alaga, at sa lahat ng mga kaibigan na bumisita,” he wrote.
The senator did not disclose the nature of Kitty’s illness or the circumstances of her hospitalization. His post closed with: “Happy birthday and get well soon, my inaanak Kitty!”
Kitty was born on April 10, 2004.
