A fearless Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte addressed the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and supporters during the “ICC Send Him (Duterte) Home” rally in time for the 47th birthday celebration of Vice President Sara Duterte in The Hague, Netherlands, on Saturday.
In his message, the mayor shared with the attendees the challenges that he is facing such as lack of funding from the national government for the infrastructure projects in Davao City for defying the Marcos administration.
“Hindi nila ako natakot in the first three years and I’m sure hindi nila ako matatakot in the next three years. Malabo yan,” Duterte said.
The mayor also shared his views on the impeachment case of his sister, Vice President Sara.
“Sinasabi nila na magnanakaw ang kapatid ko dahil sa confidential funds. For the sake of argument, kung ang Presidente merong billions in terms of CF, tapos gusto nila i-impeach ang kapatid ko for a P125 million, in terms of amount, who is more impeachable? Ang billion o ang millon?” Duterte said.
Duterte pointed out that if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is serious about amending laws or if he wants to make a change, it should start with the President.
“Kung sinasabi sana ng Marcos na ito na masama, may confidential funds, he should start with him, pababa so that he will be the example that we will follow. And yet sini-single out mo yung isang tao, ano ibig sabihin nun? It’s because of politics. When you should be there to lead the country and fix what is broken and continue what has already been done and what is good for every peace-loving citizen in the Philippines,” the mayor said.
He emphasized that the results of the 2025 national and local midterm elections are a demonstration of what kind of government Filipinos want.
Meanwhile, the mayor expressed his gratitude to the OFWs and supporters for their continued support of the Duterte family, particularly to the former president.
“Ako yung huli na nakapunta dito kasi ako yung naiwan sa Davao, mayor kasi ako. But I’m happy to see you right now and personally magpasalamat sa inyo. Ako sa Davao City bilang alkalde doon pinahirapan pero bakit ako malakas? Bakit ang Davao City andiyan pa rin ngayon? Bakit si VP yung kapatid ko hindi tumitigil? Dahil alam namin na kayong mga Pilipino, kayong mga OFWs dito nasa likod namin lagi,” he said.
The mayor vowed to fight for the OFWs when he returned to the Philippines.
“I’m just happy to be here, to see all of you, and sa lahat na nakikinig na OFWs sa ibang bansa, alam ko malakas ang suporta ni papa galing sa mga OFWs. Bilang anak ni Rody Duterte, I will look for a way and I will fight for you back in the Philippines when I go back there,” he said.
Also present in the said gathering were Senator Robin Padilla, reelected Senator Imee Marcos, Senator-elect Rodante Marcoleta, lawyer Harry Roque, Dr. Richard Mata, and lawyer Vic Rodriguez.
