DAVAO CITY (June 26) — President Rodrigo Duterte told his children to stay humble even if they are now occupying top position.
Duterte advised his children as he witnessed his youngest son Sebastian ‘Baste’ took his oath as the Vice Mayor last Friday afternoon, June 21.
“Kaya ito sinasabi ko sa inyo mga anak ko, stay humble. Do not flaunt that power (I kept telling you my children, stay humble. Do not flaunt that power),” he said.
His daughter Sara is the re-elected Mayor of the city while his eldest son Paolo was elected Congressman for first district.
The Duterte family was complete during the occasion, Baste joined politics for the first time.
The Duterte children ran and won unopposed.
In his speech, the President said ” I am at a loss for the words to characterize our presence here this afternoon. Akong mga anak ug ako (My children and I).”
Duterte said his views in terms of politics and the love of the people transcends to his family, as he looked up to his late father Governor Vicente Duterte , as his idol in governance. Duterte’s father served as Governor for the still undivided Davao.
Duterte manifested, it looked like a dynasty in Davao with him and his children leading the political post, but he said- in the end, the peoples right to chose their leader prevails, because that’s how democracy works.
“Kaya ‘yung sabi ko hindi na ako mag-mayor. Eh ang gusto nila si Inday. Ang partido ko ang sundin ko because that is the party — ‘yang Hugpong — who will support me during the election. Eh sila ‘yung may gusto. Then after that si Pulong (When I said I will not run for Mayor, they want Sara. I will follow my party which is Hugpong who will support me during the election. They are the ones who want it. Then after that they also want Paolo),” he said.
The President said even if he does not want his children to engage in politics, but they are willing to serve the people, then he will support it.
“Kung ang Duterte pa rin magtakbo, I’m sure huwag lang sirain ‘yung pangalan, mananalo pa rin ‘yan (If a Duterte still run for a position, I’m sure it will still win as long as people will not ruin our name), ” he said.
“But if you think Davaoeños, that they are not already up to it, then by all means I suggest other leaders here to put up a strong opposition so that the people will have a choice na hindi lang ang Duterte pala ang marunong. I encourage you to do that because this is democracy, ” Duterte added.-Armando Fenequito Jr./NewsLine.ph
