Monday, December 31, 2007 Mayor has mixed feelings on Pulong as ABC head By Ben O. Tesiorna
MAYOR Rodrigo Duterte has mixed feelings on the election of his eldest son, Paolo "Pulong" Z. Duterte, as the new president of the Association of Barangay Captains in Davao City. As ABC president, the young Duterte has earned a seat in the City Council.
In his television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" Sunday, Mayor Duterte said Polong has his own mind and ambitions that are beyond the father's control.
"Di ko talaga mapigil pag yan ang ambisyon ng anak ko. He has his own dreams. Intindihin niyo na lang ako, I respect the decision of my son. At the same time I have to take it into account na tatlo na kaming mga Duterte dito," said the mayor.
While he takes pride in his son's latest achievement soon after entering politics just two months ago when he sought and won the barangay chair seat of Catalunan Grande, the mayor couldn't resist but take a jab at his son's style.
"I would like to greet Councilor Polong Duterte. Bilib pud ko aning bataana ni. Kadtong pag-adto nako sa iyang barangay hall dako kayo ang nakasulat na Pulong Duterte, Kapitan. Wala man gani ko kakita ug nakasulat na Rody Duterte, Mayor (This young man is something else. When I went to his barangay hall I saw in huge letters, Pulong Duterte, Kapitan, when I haven't seen Rody Duterte, Mayor, written anywhere)," the mayor said smiling.
The elder Duterte had always frowned at putting his name on government projects and equipment insisting that all these come from the people.
With Pulong's entry, he has joined his father and his sister Vice Mayor Sara in the field of public service. Many accuse the Dutertes of building a dynasty here in the city but the mayor said that it will be just few years before he retires from politics and appealed to Dabawenyos to just support his brood who have no other desire but to follow the footsteps of their elders.
The mayor's father Vincente Duterte was also in public service during his lifetime, having been the governor of the still undivided Davao province.
