Former President Rodrigo Duterte appealed to Dabawenyos on Christmas Day not to abandon the Dutertes and to continue supporting him and his children in their political journey.
The former president is running anew for the mayoralty post and his son, Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, as vice mayor in next year’s local and national midterm elections.
“Kung mamatay ko simbako, Duterte gihapon ang inyong mayor. Ayaw ninyo ug biyai ang Duterte kay ang Duterte wala gyud mibiya ninyo. Gitagaan mo ug guwapong lugar, milambo ang atong syudad, tan-awa karon, sakyanan na lang naghuot nata. Buot pasabot ana ang kuwarta nagtuyok dinhi sa syudad,” the former president said in his message during the annual “Pahalipay sa Taal” gift-giving activity held near the ancestral house of the Dutertes in Taal, Central Park, Bangkal on December 25.
Duterte thanked the residents for their continued support when he was still the congressman, mayor, and President.
“Dako ko ug pasalamat kaninyo. Diri ko nagsugod sa akong politikang tinguha. Gani man wala lang ko ninyo suportahi ug tabangi inyo pa gyud gipalatay ang among tinguha sa politika, niabot sa akong mga anak, kang Sebastian, kang Inday, ug kang Pulong. Una sa tanan kahibaw gyud ko nga gihigugma ta gyud mo. Nag mayor ko, nag congressman, nag president, wala gyud ko gikalimtan sa syudad sa Davao,” he said.
The activity, which was attended by an estimated crowd of 50,000, was also graced by Vice President Sara Duterte.
Days before Christmas, the former president also delivered his Christmas message on the special episode of Basta Dabawenyo and expressed his hopes for continued peace, economic growth, and opportunities for all Filipinos.
“In the spirit of Christmas, I am giving this message with the hope that everybody is comfortable now, at least a little bit, with improvements from yesterday. Sana magpatuloy ang law and order … peace in the community at the very least will be maintained. Allow me to greet everybody, every Filipino a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,” he said.
