Marcos greets mom Imelda on 95th birthday, thanks her for lessons in 'kindness, compassion'

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday greeted his mother former first lady Imelda Marcos on her 95th birthday, thanking her for teaching them to be "kind and compassionate."

The President posted a photo collage on his social media account to greet his mother, who also served as Ilocos Norte representative.

"Happy HAPPY birthday mom. Thank you for teaching me and your grandchildren to be gracious, kind and compassionate," Marcos said in the caption.

The President's wife, First Lady Marie Louise "Liza" Araneta-Marcos also greeted her "Mama Meldy" in a separate post on her social media account.

"Happy 95th birthday Mama Meldy (celebrating emoji) Thank you for being a second mother to me. You are and always will be my first lady. (heart emoji) you. Mean it (kiss emoji)," she said.

Born on July 2, 1929, Imelda Marcos was the Philippines' longest serving first lady, having held the position for more than two decades during the rule of her husband Ferdinand Marcos Sr. from 1965 until his ouster in the 1986 People Power Revolution.

Upon her return from exile in Hawaii, she became active in politics again with her children, having served as a representative of Leyte from 1995 to 1998, and later a representative of Ilocos Norte from 2010 to 2019.