Bracing herself for a "bigger challenge", vice presidential candidate Mayor Sara Duterte bade her beloved city of Davao farewell Thursday, March 17, during her impassioned Valedictory and State of the City Address (SOCA).
Vice presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte delivers her recorded SOCA on March 17, 2022 (Screenshot from Mayor Inday Sara Duterte Facebook)
“Today, allow me to formally--and with a heavy heart--say farewell...I have been called to join the race for a bigger challenge," said the presidential daughter and Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) chairperson.
"This is a challenge that gives me the opportunity to spread my wings wider, to soar higher, and reach new heights - with the support of our fellow Filipinos--for our beloved country,” Duterte said, obviously referring to her bid for the vice presidency in the May 2022 elections.
Duterte, along with Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) standard-bearer Bongbong Marcos comprise the so-called "UniTeam". They have a big lead over their rivals in the latest vice presidential and presidential survey results, respectively.
Duterte was equal parts proud and sentimental in her recorded SOCA as she looked back on her latest two terms as mayor.
“My 2016 return to City Hall allowed me to revisit the first time you confidently elected me to become your mayor in 2010. It was a victory that is now known as the biggest election landslide victory in the history of our city,” she said.
"When I was elected as the youngest and the only woman as mayor of our city, it was a historic moment not only for me, but for every Dabawenya who dared, worked hard, and succeeded,” added Duterte, who is referred to by her fans as the "Eagle of Mindanao".
“Let us make this day a day of celebration of the victories that we have made after we started our nearly six years journey— a journey we called Byaheng Do30, where we identified 10 priority areas of development,” she told her constituents.
These 10 priority areas are education, health, poverty alleviation, infrastructure development, solid waste management and environment, agriculture, investment and tourism, transportation planning and traffic management, disaster risk reduction and mitigation, and peace and order.
“I leave you with a city buoyed by a stronger economy, a stronger citizenry, with programs and services institutionalized to ensure continuity–a city that has so much more potential for greatness. And I am confident that whoever will lead the city in the coming months will be able to sustain, if not surpass, what we have achieved, and take Davao City even higher,” Duterte further said.
She thanked all Dabawenyos, whom she credited for helping transform her into the leader that she is.
“Your patience in letting me grow from a shy neophyte in 2007 to a confident leader today is a gift not all public servants are lucky enough to receive. You gave me wings and you taught me how to fly. Your love made me who I am today.”