By Antonio Colina IV
DAVAO CITY – Incoming Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte said his election to the second highest position in the local government could be the start of his long stint as a politician just like his father-president, who governed Davao City for three decades in various local elective posts, and his two older siblings.
Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte delivers his speech after taking his oath at the Sangguniang Panlungsod in Davao City on June 21, 2019. (ARMAN BAYLON / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
“Depende sa tao. Kung ganahan mo, o (It depends on the people. If they like, yes),” the 32-year old Sebastian, the youngest child of President Duterte with ex-wife Elizabeth Zimmerman, told reporters shortly after his inaugural ceremony on Friday.
A newbie in politics, Sebastian admitted to reading books, attending seminars, and asking his older siblings, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and resigned vice mayor Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, who is incoming 1st district representative, about what to expect from his first day and to learn the ropes of his new role as the presiding officer of the 24-member local lawmaking body
“Of course, that’s why I am here. I have done everything that I need to do. Mao na na ako kinabuhi, ingon ana lang ka simple (That’s already my life now. It’s as simple as that),” he said.
Before being elected as President in 2016, Duterte served as mayor from 1988 to 1998, representative of the first district from 1998 to 2001, mayor from 2001 to 2010, vice mayor to his daughter-mayor from 2010 to 2013, and mayor from 2013 until 2016.
Carpio served as vice mayor from 2007 to 2010, mayor from 2010 until 2013, elected mayor again in 2016 when her father ran for president, and re-elected in 2019 while, Paolo, the President’s eldest son, was councilor from 2008 to 2013, and vice mayor from 2013 until 2018.
Sebastian added he has prepared well for the job, and that he is willing to devote most of his time in public service.
“It is an affiliation, which is new to me but which I am very eager to assume. I come here and with my fervent desire to serve… I may be new in government service but I trust that this desire will be the impetus from where my impact to the city and its people will come about,” he said.
Sebastian recognized that there remains much to be done for the development of Davao such as addressing the worsening traffic condition and environmental issues, making the health system more accessible and affordable, and maintain peace and order in the city.
“The local government has done an excellent job in propelling the progress that we are experiencing. Introducing opportunities for the development and positive change, Davao City has gone far from where it was before,” he said.
Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte delivers his speech after taking his oath at the Sangguniang Panlungsod in Davao City on June 21, 2019. (ARMAN BAYLON / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
“Depende sa tao. Kung ganahan mo, o (It depends on the people. If they like, yes),” the 32-year old Sebastian, the youngest child of President Duterte with ex-wife Elizabeth Zimmerman, told reporters shortly after his inaugural ceremony on Friday.
A newbie in politics, Sebastian admitted to reading books, attending seminars, and asking his older siblings, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and resigned vice mayor Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, who is incoming 1st district representative, about what to expect from his first day and to learn the ropes of his new role as the presiding officer of the 24-member local lawmaking body
“Of course, that’s why I am here. I have done everything that I need to do. Mao na na ako kinabuhi, ingon ana lang ka simple (That’s already my life now. It’s as simple as that),” he said.
Before being elected as President in 2016, Duterte served as mayor from 1988 to 1998, representative of the first district from 1998 to 2001, mayor from 2001 to 2010, vice mayor to his daughter-mayor from 2010 to 2013, and mayor from 2013 until 2016.
Carpio served as vice mayor from 2007 to 2010, mayor from 2010 until 2013, elected mayor again in 2016 when her father ran for president, and re-elected in 2019 while, Paolo, the President’s eldest son, was councilor from 2008 to 2013, and vice mayor from 2013 until 2018.
Sebastian added he has prepared well for the job, and that he is willing to devote most of his time in public service.
“It is an affiliation, which is new to me but which I am very eager to assume. I come here and with my fervent desire to serve… I may be new in government service but I trust that this desire will be the impetus from where my impact to the city and its people will come about,” he said.
Sebastian recognized that there remains much to be done for the development of Davao such as addressing the worsening traffic condition and environmental issues, making the health system more accessible and affordable, and maintain peace and order in the city.
“The local government has done an excellent job in propelling the progress that we are experiencing. Introducing opportunities for the development and positive change, Davao City has gone far from where it was before,” he said.