Davao City First District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte made a surprise appearance at a campaign rally for Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HTL) at the Royal Valley Subdivision in Bangkal, Davao City on Friday evening.
His appearance comes a month after visiting his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, in The Hague, Netherlands.
During his address, Rep. Duterte expressed disappointment with the current administration and his father’s situation, emphasizing his restraint from making controversial statements. He also criticized his political rivals, firmly stating that he would never allow them to disqualify him during the campaign period.
The congressman extended heartfelt gratitude to supporters for their unwavering loyalty to his father and their family. He assured the crowd that the former president remains in good health, sharing a lighthearted update that his father had recently taken a bath and was doing well. He revealed that the former president’s appetite had improved since his arrival in The Hague, where he initially struggled with the unfamiliar cuisine. Duterte added that his father now enjoys his favorite drink and that Filipinos in the area are preparing monggo for him.
“I sincerely thank all of you for your unwavering support, especially for our father, Rody Duterte. Thank you so much for your support. Everything you did for his birthday reached him,” he said.
Rep. Duterte reassured supporters that the former president deeply appreciates their love, concern, and prayers. He also addressed local political issues, criticizing the administration for differing political views and referring to adversaries as “traitors.” However, he quickly consulted his legal counsel to ensure his remarks were appropriate.
Responding to criticisms about his absence from earlier campaign activities, Duterte reaffirmed his commitment to the HTL party, his constituents in the first district, and the people of Davao. He concluded his speech with a touch of humor, saying, “I can’t curse, I can’t insult my opponents, I can’t do acrobatics or dance. Maybe I should just act cute instead.”
