Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte is taking the reins as acting city mayor effective September 28, 2020 until October 5, 2020 as Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio filed a leave of absence for one week due to medical reasons.
“Mag-leave ko karong Sept. 28 to Oct. 5. Naa ko’y kinahanglan nga i-assist na tao for medical reasons ug kinahanglan ko mag-out of town. Nag-istorya nami sa atoang vice mayor and nakita naman niya kung unsa ang trabaho sa mayor kay nagdako siya nga ang iyahang amahan mayor ug karon as vice mayor nakita niya ang trabaho nako as city mayor, so he knows how to do it already,” Mayor Sara said in a broadcast interview with Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) 87.5 on Friday.
The mayor assured that even though she will be out of town for medical purposes, she will be continuously present online to meet deadlines for her office.
By law, if the city mayor is absent for more than three days, the vice mayor will serve as acting city mayor.
The mayor tasked her brother to assume the duties and responsibilities of said position as mandated by law and to oversee the overall operations of all city government’s departments and offices as well as perform such other duties directed to him from time to time.
This is not the first time that the vice mayor was appointed as acting city mayor. In July 2019, Baste was appointed acting city mayor as Mayor Sara took a 60-day medical leave.
“Ayaw mo pag-panic because I shall return. Like I said, mag-panic lang mo kung nag-panic nako,” the mayor said.
The mayor also reminded Dabawenyos to still observe health protocols such as stay home, wearing of face mask and face shield, distancing, and frequent hand washing with soap and water as the city is still under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).
“Duna gihapon ta’y MGCQ kinahanglan mahinumduman sa mga tao kung duna’y quarantine dapat stay home, mugawas lang ka kung mu-trabaho ka ug kung naa kay importante nga gawason sa inyong balay sama sa tambal, pagkaon, or kinahanglan ka muadto ug bangko or pera padala. Kung mugawas ang face mask dili kalimtan, ngano mag-face mask man ta?
Tungod kay ang mga laway o droplets mao na ang nagdala sa virus nga ang pangalan Covid-19. Distancing minimum ug one meter ug dili na mapababa sa one meter kay according sa mga doctors dili kaabot ang pisik o lagpot at least one meter. Frequent hand washing with soap and water or alcohol kay ma-useless ang atoang face mask kung ang atoang kamot ang nag-gunit sa kagaw,” she said.
The mayor also thanked the city government employees for their honesty and hardwork.
“And sa gabii kinahanglan magdungan ta ug ampo nga duna’y miracle na mahitabo nga mawala na ang Covid,” she said.
