Vice President Sara Duterte drew laughter and applause after sharing a lighthearted reflection on her political journey during the 18th Mindanao Geographical Conference of the Philippine Association of Local Government Accountants (PHALGA) held in Davao City on Wednesday.
Speaking before local government accountants from across Mindanao, Duterte recalled thinking about an alternate path she could have taken in politics.
The Vice President was in a nostalgic mood as she addressed participants in her hometown. She said she readily accepts invitations to events held in Davao City because they give her an opportunity to return home.
“Kahibalo mo, basta makadawat ko og mga imbitasyon nga dinhi sa Davao City ang panagtapok, ginadawat gyud dayon nako na kay matagaan man gud ko og higayon nga mouli dinhi sa Davao. Nakahuna-huna ko sa akoang kaugalingon og unsa kaha kung nidagan nalang ko og mayor, wala na lang ko nidagan og Vice President,” she said.
Duterte, who briefly fought back tears, said the sight of her former colleagues at City Hall brought a rush of memories and a deep sense of longing, not only for the city she once led, but for her beloved Mindanao.
She added that going home allows her to spend time with her mother and enjoy simple comforts, including sleeping in her own bed something she described as uniquely reassuring.
“Pagkakita nako sa akoang mga kauban kaniadto sa city hall, nostalgic ko. Nabati nako ang akoang kamingaw sa Davao sa Mindanao. So mao na, malipay gyud ko og makadawat ko og imbitasyon kay matagaan man gud ko og opportunity nga mouli sa amoang balay, makita ang akoang mama, makaistorya og personal akoang mama. Unya, makauli — magamit nako ang kanang lahi man gud na kung imoha gyud ang kama nga ginatulugan nimo,” she said.
In contrast, Duterte noted that her family currently rents a house in Manila, which does not offer the same sense of permanence and ease.
“Didto man gud sa Manila, naga-arkila lang mi og balay. So dili gyud mi komportable kung asa mi nagapuyo kay dili siya amoa gyung balay. Unya pirmi mi mag-amping kay dili kami ang tag-iya sa maong balay. So pag makauli mi diri, it’s some sort of a safe space para sa amoa sa pamilya,” Duterte said.
She also recounted how deeply relaxed she feels in Davao City, sharing that she was able to sleep for 12 straight hours after arriving from another engagement in Mindanao.
Duterte’s remarks underscored her enduring ties to Davao City, where she previously served as mayor, and highlighted the personal significance the region continues to hold for her as she serves in national office.
