On Christmas eve, President Rodrigo Duterte showed his soft spot when visited the Southern Philippines Medical Center to hand out presents, food, and medicines to the 300 children under treatment there, about 51 of them for cancer.
During his visit, Duterte posed for selfies, made small talk with staff and patients, handed out gifts and even carried babies during the more than hour-long visit. Duterte hugged young patients, patted the back of some or rubbed their heads, ABS-CBN News reported.
The president also reportedly expressed his interest in improving the cancer institute with two linear accelerators, which are used for radiotherapy and in replacing broken air-conditioning units in the hospital.
Hospital officials also discussed with the President the possible improvements to SPMC’s Children’s Cancer and Blood Diseases Unit.
Duterte distributed toys and gadgets such as DVD players to 57 children, and red envelopes presumably containing cash to their guardians.
It has been Duterte’s tradition to visit and distribute Christmas gifts to cancer-stricken children when he was still Davao City mayor.
He has been a regular donor of the facility.
In his Christmas message, Duterte called on Filipinos to be more compassionate as they celebrate the Yuletide season.
“My beloved countrymen, as we remember the birth of our savior Jesus Christ, let us celebrate the genuine compassion and desire to foster hope in our hearts,” he said.
