OUTGOING mayor and Vice President-elect (VP-elect) Sara Duterte is confident her brother, Sebastian “Baste” Duterte has the experience and background to be the new mayor of Davao City.
“Dili naman first timer, kumabaga matawag nato, sa politika atong umaabot na mayor dinhi sa siyudad sa Davao because he grew up in politics, he grew up na nakita niya ang governance not just diri sa Davao but in national government (too) (He is not a first-timer in politics, as what we could call the incoming mayor, because he grew up in politics, he grew up witnessing governance not just in Davao City but also in the national government),” Duterte said during the last episode of her Special Hour program as mayor of Davao City on June 27, 2022.
The VP-elect also expressed that she hopes her brother will give importance to infrastructure development, economy, and good governance to ensure Davao City’s competitiveness and success.
“(These) makes us competitive sa tibuok nasud as a city, nag laum ta na mao pud iyang tagaan og dakong pagtutok sa kadaghan-daghan sa kinahanglan atimanon og atubangon sa isa ka mayor (These makes us competitive nationwide, as a city, and we hope it will be given priority despite all the other things the new mayor has to tackle),” she said.
During Sebastian’s term as Vice Mayor for three years, Duterte said the incoming mayor has shown his vision to make Davao City a livable city prioritizing life, work, and leisure in a peaceful and sustainable environment.
“Mao pud na iyang, tanaw nako, (That’s what I think his) dream or vision for Davao City - a city that is livable for everyone,” she said.
Duterte also said that the new mayor will start his term facing unique challenges given the global crisis being experienced due to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia however, the outgoing mayor assured that her new office is ready to help.
“I want to reassure him that my office (starting) July 1, the Office of the Vice President, will be available para kaniya (for him) if there is anything he wants to consult on and kung duna mi ma-assist saiyaha dinhi sa pagserbisyo niya sa siyudad sa Davao (and if there is we could assist on for him during his service for Davao City),” Duterte said.
The VP-elect attended the oath-taking of his younger brother, incumbent Vice Mayor Duterte as incoming mayor on June 27, 2022 at the Sanggunian Panglungsod ng Davao.
The event was also graced by their father, outgoing President Rodrigo Duterte. ICM