Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte urged supporters to reflect on leadership and governance as he spoke during a prayer rally and protest outside the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Wednesday, commemorating a year since the detention of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Addressing Filipino supporters gathered at the venue, the mayor said the current situation in the country allows people to compare governance between previous and present administrations.
“May point of comparison naman tayo what was the governance then and what is governance now in this administration. Somehow, tingin ko, hindi naman talaga okay ang sitwasyon pero ok na rin na nakita natin kung ano yung gusto natin para sa Pilipinas talaga,” Duterte said.
The mayor also spoke about his father’s willingness to face the consequences of his actions in public office, saying the former president had long been prepared to make sacrifices for the country.
“Yung tatay andiyan yan dahil handa naman siya if ever will come to yung nangyari sa kanya, isakripisyo talaga niya yung buhay niya para sa inyo,” he said.
Duterte shared that even before FPRRD decided to run for president, their family had reservations because they anticipated the political conflicts that would come with national leadership.
“Noon pa lang hindi pa yan tumakbo ng presidente, yung tinatanong pa kami doon sa Davao, kaming mga anak, lahat kami hindi pumayag talaga kasi alam namin na magulo kasi kilala namin yung tatay namin na he will fight for the Filipino people,” he said.
He also reflected on his father’s time as mayor of Davao City, noting that while some residents initially questioned his methods, the policies were ultimately aimed at addressing the needs of the community.
“Nung nagsimula siya sa Davao, hindi naman lahat ng taga Davao tanggap yung methods niya or his way of governing the city… hindi siya natatakot sa opinyon ng mga tao sa kanya kasi ang gusto niya kung ano ang kailangan ng lugar mo para maayos mo yung lugar mo,” he said.
According to the mayor, his father’s leadership focused on improving the welfare of ordinary citizens rather than benefiting only a privileged few.
“Para umangat yung buhay ng mga tao not only for the chosen few who are privileged enough, lahat ng mga Dabawenyo ng panahon na yun,” he said.
During his speech, the mayor also criticized the influence of powerful political families and economic elites in the country’s political system.
“Ang Pilipinas, alam at nakikita ninyo yan, yung oligarko, yung dynasty… the same oligarchs and dynasties in most provinces,” he said.
He added that some politicians prefer maintaining the status quo under centralized governance.
The mayor suggested that those who supported bringing the former president before the ICC may have misjudged the situation.
“Sa tingin siguro nila pag pinasok nila ang tao dito, matatapos na yung istorya… pero in human history hindi lahat ng mga lider na pinaslang o nilagay sa kulungan nawawala lang—mas lalong lumalakas yung mga iniwan niya na salita at mga nagawa niya,” he said.
Despite the ongoing legal case, he expressed belief that justice would ultimately prevail.
“Tingin ko naman may hustisya sa dulo. May Diyos. Kung ano man yung kapalaran niya… he will not say sorry kung ano man ang pinagsasabi niya he will not say sorry kasi yung ginawa niya, ginawa niya para sa bayan,” Duterte said.
He also encouraged Filipinos to participate in the upcoming elections, saying voters ultimately determine the country’s direction.
“May election naman tayo… gamitin ninyo yung power to vote para pumili. Yung direction ng bansa natin nasa kamay ninyo yan,” he added.
