President Rodrigo Roa Duterte said his Christmas wish for the Filipino nation is for every family to have a joyful and bountiful Noche Buena despite the challenges that the country encountered for the year.

“Noche Buena. I hope that you will be seating on a table having Noche Buena with your family and happy about whatever the situation finds us,” he said when asked by reporters about his Christmas wish for the nation.

“I said we cannot control everything. There are things which [are] beyond our control.”

President Duterte called for a press conference in Malacanang Tuesday night to discuss a wide range of issues confronting the country.

The President also requested the press to be fair and truthful in their reporting, stressing that in the past, he did not make any request from the members of the media for him to be given favorable publicity.

“Ang hinihingi ko lang, kung sakali man na meron akong…I will decide one day whether to allow… Ang hingiin ko lang sa kanila, I will just ask for the truth and fairness. That is all,” he said.

“You can publish anything as long as it is…huwag mo nang i-twist. Publish mo. You show it to the public, I would not mind. I guarantee you. I will even protect you. I am asking only for truth and fairness.”

President Duterte also allayed public fears about his health, noting that although at 74 he has ailments and difficulties, he can still function as the country’s chief executive.

“Huwag na ninyo akong tanungin na kung may sakit ba ako. Kasi lahat ng 74 years old dito sa Pilipinas — except for a few — lahat may sakit na ‘yan,” he said.

“Matanda na ako eh. Pero nakakapagsalita pa naman ako. But when I’m no longer coherent, if I cannot articulate now the things that I want to relay to you, then it’s about time that you call the attention of my family.”

Although he was advised by his doctors to take a rest for a few days, the President said, he cannot heed their advice because he has to address important matters confronting the nation. PND