PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will not be attending Sunday's opening ceremonies of the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet 2018 but Senator Manny Pacquiao will be the keynote speaker.
Department of Education (DepEd)-Davao Region spokesperson Jenielito Atillo Saturday, February 17, confirmed Duterte's absence and Pacquiao's presence in the program set at 3 p.m. at the University of Mindanao (UM) track oval in Matina, with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio spearheading the event that also expects Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William "Butch" Ramirez and DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones as guests.
Atillo, in a phone interview with SunStar Davao Friday, said: "Confirmed na jud nga dili makaapil atong presidente pero dayon si Senator Manny (It's been confirmed that our president could not make it but Senator Manny Pacquiao is definitely coming)."
Duterte-Carpio will welcome the delegates and will declare the opening of the meet while Ramirez will give a solidarity message. Secretary Briones, for her part, will share an inspirational message.
Decorated Davao City swimmer Matthieu Adrien Tao will lead the oath of amateurism.
Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO) officer-in-charge Michael Denton "Mikey" Aportadera said during Thursday's media briefing, "Atong mayor jud ang manguna sa opening program, grabe iyang suporta sa pag-host sa city aning Davraa Meet (The mayor will spearhead the opening, she has been very supportive of the city's hosting of the Davraa Meet)."
Aportadera also said that the mayor is also bent on bidding to host the 2019 Palarong Pambansa here.
"Prerequisite man gud ang pag-host sa regional meet sa pag-host sa Palarong Pambansa (Hosting a regional meet is a prerequisite to host the Palarong Pambansa)," Aportadera said, thus, the keen interest of Mayor Duterte-Carpio to make a successful hosting of the Davraa Meet.
A parade of the 11 competing delegations and technical officials will usher in the opening rites But Atillo said that it's not compulsory for all athletes to join the activity.
"As long as dunay representatives ang delegations kay ang ubang athletes nga dunay mga sayo nga dula the following day usually dili najud gaapil sa opening program (As long as delegations have representatives during the parade since usually athletes who have early competition the following day no longer join the parade and the program)," Atillo added.
He also said pre-opening games will be suspended this morning to give delegates to prepare for the afternoon's ceremonies. Other sports including baseball and softball opened competition last Friday.