OUTGOING Davao City Mayor and incoming Vice President Sara Duterte said that she and her father, outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte don't discuss work-related matters, but the latter wished the former "good luck" in her new political position.
During a press conference on Monday, June 20, Sara was asked about what she and her father talked about during the inauguration ceremony held at San Pedro Street on Sunday, June 19.
“Sinabihan ko siya ‘Salamat, Pa,’ and he said, ‘good luck’ (I told him, ‘Thanks, Papa,’ and he said, ‘good luck)," Sara said.
The outgoing mayor, meanwhile, was asked if she would seek advice from the President, also a former city mayor.
She responded, "PRD [President Rodrigo Duterte] and ako, hindi kasi kami, and I think nasabi na rin niya publicly, we don't discuss trabaho (I think he already said this before, PRD and I don’t publicly discuss about work), and we don't discuss politics.”
“Pag nagkikita kami usually ang pinag-uusapan namin mga chismis sa family members, mga chismis sa paligid. Very normal relationship namin ni PRRD, hindi sya professional or business-like (When we see each other, what we usually talk about are gossips about family members and gossips around us. When it comes to my relationship with PRRD, it’s normal and not professional or business-like),” she said.
Sara revealed in a previous radio interview that she and the President had not been communicating since August last year.
She also said that she wasn't able to personally meet the President during the miting de avance of the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod-Hugpong ng Pagbabago on May 6, days before the May 9 elections.
As for possibly getting a political adviser, she said she won't be relying on one person, and that she welcomes input from senior politicians.
"Pinapakinggan ko lahat (I listen to everyone), and I decide based on my gut feel," the vice president-elect said.
Meanwhile, she encouraged her brother, incoming Mayor Sebastian Duterte to review the General Welfare Clause of the Local Government Code
"There will always be many issues and challenges na hindi magiging masaya lahat ng tao, but kung gagawin lang niya at susundin lang niya ang (that people will not be happy about, but if you will do and follow the) General Welfare clause, o 'yung general welfare ng karamihan, ng majority (or the general welfare of everyone), then he will be always on the right track," Sara said.
Duterte, also an incoming Education secretary, is set to assume her new positions at noon of June 30.
The oathtaking was slated at an earlier date for her to be able to attend the inauguration of her running mate, President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. who is set to take his oath at the National Museum in Manila on June 30.
Sara said that, as of now, she will be the only one from the first family who will be attending Marcos’ inauguration. She did not elaborate if the outgoing President will also be attending the event. RGL