- Duterte’s brand of leadership to stay
DAVAO CITY – Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in a Christmas message said that he leaves the fate of Vice President Sara Duterte’s “presidency bid” to God.
“They throw a lot of issues at Inday, but she remains strong. If God would allow, the next time we stand in front of you here – she is already your President,” Duterte said during the Pahalipay sa Taal on December 25. Taal, in Bangkal, Davao City is where the ancestral home of PRRD.
“If that happens”, he said, “Dabawenyos would experience the Duterte brand of leadership for the second time”.
“We will leave it to God,” Duterte said.
Duterte made light of the commentary on the controversy hounding VP Sara, saying she’s “being mauled” at the House of Representatives and dismissing its recent inquiries as political a persecution.
“The next time she faces you she could be the second Duterte to become President,” he said sending the crowd to a deafening cheer.
Duterte also asked their supporters not to “abandon” his family, reminding them that Duterte’s had not done anything wrong to them.
“In my years as mayor, vice mayor, congressman, and then President, l have never forgotten your interests. (As President), the grandest that l have given you could be the (Davao City) coastal (bypass) road. Don’t abandon the Dutertes because the Dutertes had never forsaken you,” he said.
Duterte recalled how he and three of his children later transformed Davao into a progressive city.
“My dear people of Davao City, l am very thankful to all of you. It is here where l started my political career. Your support extended even to my children, Sebastian, Inday, and Pulong,” he added.
Duterte also reminded the people present at the event that he is running for mayor, with Baste as his vice mayor.
“I chose Baste as running mate so that if I will be elected mayor and dies while in office, a Duterte will still be mayor,” he said.
Before he filed his candidacy for mayor in the 2025 elections, Duterte said he is no longer interested and was already too old for it. But in many occasions his political constituencies urge him to run.
However, he said that he will continue to serve the Dabawenyos for another three years as their mayor if they will allow him.
Duterte’s grandsons Omar and Rigo—sons of 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte— who were present during the event were mentioned by the former president as the “future mayors” of Davao City.
Omar, the currently Barangay Captain of Buhangin , is running for congressman of the city’s second district while Rigo is gunning a seat on the city council for the first district.
About 50,000 people trooped to Duterte’s ancestral home for the yearly holiday Pahalipay sa Taal, the Davao City Police Office estimated .
They received grocery packs, gift certificates, in what had become a traditional Christmas activity held by the Duterte family.
