FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte are expected to attend the 37th Kadayawan sa Davao festival this weekend, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte said Friday, August 19.
Sebastian said in a radio interview that the former President and current Vice President, his father and sister respectively, were invited to attend the Indak-Indak sa Kadayawan, and Pamulak sa Kadayawan on Saturday and Sunday, August 20 and 21, respectively.
However, the two have not yet confirmed their attendance.
"Gi-imbita ko man sila. Ambot lang kung makaadto. Hopefully makaadto (I invited them. I don’t know if they can attend, but I’m hoping they can come)," Sebastian said.
He explained that his father rarely wakes up early in the morning.
As to the attendance of Sara, he did not elaborate further.
This will be the second time Sebastian will be heading the Kadayawan celebration. The first was in 2019, when he was still a Vice Mayor, however he served as Acting Mayor for the entire August of that year when his sister, then Davao City mayor took a leave.
If ever Duterte will be attending, this will be the first time he will be joining the celebration since he stepped down from the presidency on June 30.
This year also marks the first face-to-face celebration of the annual festival after two years it was halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. During those years, the events were held virtually.
The mayor, meanwhile, reminded those who will be attending the Kadayawan events to be vigilant and cautious against lawless elements — emphasizing to practice the “Culture of Security.”
"Basta naa mo makita na suspicious na criminal activities, ingna ninyo ang mga otoridad (If you could see any suspicious criminal activities, report it immediately to authorities),” Sebastian said. RGL