FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte prayed for support from the thick crowd attending his annual gift-giving and Christmas party outside the family’s ancestral home in Taal Road in a private subdivision in Bangkal on Dec. 25.
“Do not abandon the Duterte family, because we have never abandoned you. We gave you a beautiful city, and look at how Davao has grown—our streets are now congested because money is circulating here,” he said.
“Now, I ask you, why would you replace us? We have never wronged you. We have never stolen from you. We have worked hard for you. Remember, from my father, the governorship passed to me, and now it’s with my children. May God bless us, and if it’s His will, my grandchildren will enter politics as well,” he added.
The Duterte family marked Christmas Day with their annual Pasko Pahalipay sa Taal 2024, which drew an estimated crowd of 50,000 people.
The longstanding tradition involves the Duterte family distributing gifts such as grocery packs, packed lunches, gift certificates, and cash to the residents of Davao, with some attendees also traveling from neighboring cities.
Peaceful
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Captain Hazel Tuazon confirmed that the Pahalipay sa Taal 2024 event concluded without any incident.
“This success was made possible through the assistance and collaboration of various security clusters that provided area security and crowd control throughout the event,” Tuazon said.
DCPO personnel were stationed throughout the area, ensuring the safety and protection of the large crowd, which had swelled to 50,000 by 10 a.m.
Vice President Sara Duterte arrived at 10:30 a.m., joined by former President Rodrigo Duterte, to warmly welcome attendees and participate in the family’s annual celebration.
Continued support
He also asked for continued prayers for his family and his legacy.
“To my beloved people of Davao, I am deeply grateful to all of you. This is where I began my political journey. Not only did you support me, but you also helped my political aspirations reach beyond me, extending even to my children—Sebastian, Inday, and Pulong,” Duterte said.
“For me, there’s no greater honor than being trusted by the people. But first and foremost, you know I love you all,” he said.
“As mayor, vice mayor, congressman, and president, I never forgot about Davao City. Although the scope of my work has been vast, I couldn’t always give as much as I wanted, but I always strived to give whatever I could,” he added.
“I think the greatest legacy I can boast of is the coastal road. That is the gift we, my children and I, give to you. And when our time comes, and we leave this world, you can tell your children that the Duterte family lived here in Davao, helped by God, and that we served as mayor of this city.”
“It all started here, and we are proud of the life we’ve built together. Remember that as I run for mayor, Baste will run for vice mayor, and if something happens to me, Duterte will still be your mayor,” Duterte remarked.
The Dutertes are one of the prominent families often cited as an example of a political dynasty prevalent in the Philippines. Aside from the former president and the incumbent mayor, also running in next year’s mid-term elections are incumbent 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, Omar Duterte for second district congressman, and Rigo Duterte for councilor.
“Don’t abandon us because, in the 2025 elections, Baste, Omar, Rigo, and I will stand with you, and we will continue to defend our city. They’re attacking Inday, trying to bring her down, but she still stands strong with 92 opponents. If it’s God’s will, we will continue, and the third Duterte president will be Inday Sara,” Duterte concluded.
He then chanted loudly, “Inday! Inday! Inday! If God wills, you will have two Dutertes.”
Screenshot photo by Rhoda Grace B Saron
