By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
President Duterte urged local leaders in Davao City to put up a strong opposition so people will consider trying out a new leader outside the Duterte family.
Duterte made the statement as he attended the oath-taking of his son, new Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte Thursday.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte examines the chart showing the councilors of Davao City on the sidelines of the oath-taking ceremony of his son, Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte, at the Sangguniang Panlungsod in Davao City on June 21, 2019. With the President is Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio and Davao City First District Representative Paolo Duterte. (JOEY DALUMPINES / PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
In his speech, Duterte recognized that his family can be considered a dynasty in Davao City but explained that they have no choice if people are voting for them.
"People keep on repeating that phrase about dynasty. Totoo man 'yan. Masama man talaga na isang pamilya lang 'yan (It's true that it is bad for just one family to rule) for so many years. Ang problema ang tao (The problem is the people)," he said.
The Duterte family has been ruling Davao City's local politics since 1988. According to the President, he has no problem with other personalities taking charge of the city's affairs in the future.
"Ayaw ko ng ano, pero wala eh. Kasi ‘pag ayaw ko, ginusto naman ng anak ko. Eh alang-alang hindi ko naman suportahan dahil lang sa (I don't want it anymore but what can I do when my children want it? I can't just stop supporting them just because of the) principle of dynasty," Duterte said.
"Kung ma-realize niya na bigyan na natin ng (If she would realize to give another person a) chance, maybe after this, if my daughter Inday would decide, ‘let us give others a chance,'" he added.
The President then suggested to local leaders in the city to establish a strong opposition so that the people will have an option and exercise democracy.
"By all means I suggest other leaders here to put up a strong opposition so that the people will have a choice na hindi lang ang Duterte pala ang marunong (that it is not only the Dutertes who know how to lead)," Duterte said.
"I encourage you to do that because this is democracy," he added.
Duterte's children all won in the local elections. Sara Duterte-Carpio has been reelected as the city's mayor while his youngest son Sebastian was elected as vice-mayor. His eldest Paolo was elected as Davao City representative.