FOLLOWING the claim that there would be "zero budget" for Davao City if the Dutertes were elected, incumbent Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte said that the city has long survived without help from the national government.
“Kitang mga Dabawenyos kaniadto pa hangtod karon wala gyud magsalig sa taas, unya napalambo nato atoang siyudad; nahimong malinawon, nahimong malambuon, og progresibo tungod sa panaghiusa og tinabangay natong mga Dabawenyo,” Duterte said during a campaign rally of Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod.”
(We Dabawenyos, from then until now, have never relied on those in higher positions. We developed our city, made it peaceful, prosperous, and progressive through our unity and cooperation as Dabawenyos)
Duterte added that the notion that Davao City won’t survive without a national government budget is a clear underestimation of the capabilities of Dabawenyos.
He also voiced disapproval of traditional politicians’ Manila-centric approach to governance, stressing that the government is overly centralized.
According to him, Dabawenyos understand what it means to strive, to respect others, and to value community and family, and that it is through their own efforts that the city remains peaceful.
Vice mayoral candidate and councilor, Bernie Al-ag, clarified on April 15, 2025, that his recent “zero funding” statement, which went viral online, specifically referred to the lack of appropriations for projects.
He explained that when he fell out of favor with Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and was removed from the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HTL), his office no longer received development funds.
He further said that mayors or congressmen not in good standing with the national government might also face difficulties securing funds for projects. However, operational funds from the internal revenue allotment (IRA) are guaranteed by law.
Al-ag had previously stated during a campaign rally that if the Dutertes were re-elected, Davao might not receive a budget from the national government. He stressed that the city needs at least P10 billion to address its flooding problems and that new leadership could make this possible. RGP