Supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte were all praises for the official for not forgetting her campaign promise of visiting them after the election season is over.
She revisited some sectors on Saturday, Dec. 17, for her “Balik-Pasasalamat.”
Chareto Nuñez, a 65-year old housewife who was present when Duterte campaigned for her vice presidential bid earlier this year, expressed her admiration as the latter came back to Happyland in Tondo, Manila.
“Masaya kami dahil nakita namin siya. Nangako sya noong nagpunta sya sa amin na hindi pa nag-e-eleksyon na babalik siya. Eto na, tinupad na (We are happy because we saw her. She promised when she went here before the elections that she will come back. This is it, she fulfilled her promise),” Nuñez said.
She was one of the 800 members of the urban poor community in the area who received a Christmas package from the Vice President.
The package contains 10-kilogram rice and canned goods.
Duterte also returned to Batasan Hills to reunite with members of the Batasan Hills Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (BARTODA) and online booking app riders, as well as the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Barangay Escopa 3, Quezon City.
BARTODA Vice President Roberto Mirafuentes took the opportunity to thank Duterte for the 1,400 Christmas packs for their association.
One rider even volunteered to share how he felt about Duterte making true her promise of not forgetting them.
“Hindi nyo kami nakalimutan. Iba po talaga kayo, Ma’am. Maraming, maraming salamat po (You did not forget about us. You are really different, Ma’am. Thank you very much). In behalf po ng (of) Angkas, maraming salamat po sa suporta ninyo po (thank you very much for your support),” the rider said.
Around 600 riders also waited to see Duterte along the IBP road in Batasan Hills. They, too, received the same Christmas packages.
Her day ended with a visit to the Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) at the National Vocational Rehabilitation Center in Barangay Escopa 3.
Nazarena Casuga, a 51-year old PWD, expressed gratitude because the Pamasko package would be a big help for them to celebrate the holiday.
Duterte returned to meet these sectors to thank them personally.
“Nandito po kami para magpasalamat. Unang-una po ang pagpapasalamat ko sa inyong lahat sa tulong ninyo sa akin noong kampanya at eleksyon noong (We are here to thank you. Firstly, my thanks for your help during the campaign and election last) May 2022,” she said.
The Vice President also included President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s thanksgiving message for the support they gave to his administration.
She also shared her personal message of gratitude from the Duterte family for the opportunities given by the Filipino people after electing both her and former president Rodrigo Duterte.
“Kahit simple lang ang ating preparasyon, ang importante sa Pasko ay masaya ang ating mga mahal sa buhay (Even though our preparations are simple this Christmas, what’s important is that our loved ones are happy),” she said, adding that the way to “peace” starts with “love, forgiveness, and sharing.”