DAVAO CITY – The City Council of Davao passed a resolution on Tuesday declaring March 28 of every year as a day of celebration to acknowledge the “great and continuing contribution” of former President Duterte to this city and the Philippines.
Authored by Second District Councilor Diosdado Angelo Junior R. Mahipus, a two-page resolution was approved during a regular session to recognize the contribution of the former President who turned 78 on Tuesday.
Duterte was the first Mindanaoan leader to win the presidency when he was elected during the 2016 national elections.
The resolution reads in part: “Duterte is acknowledged as a living hero of the Republic for his great contribution to the development of the nation uplifting the lives of the Filipino people.”
It said that it is important to highlight the life and works of Duterte, the country’s 16th president, “to serve as inspiration to our people.”
Duterte ended his term on June 30, 2022, and was succeeded by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
During “Salamat Tatay Digong, A Homecoming Concert” at NCCC Mall VP organized by his supporters upon returning to this city from Manila, the former President told the crowd that he would catch up on lost sleep after stepping down as the country’s leader.
The Dutertes and their allies remain the dominant force in the political scene of Davao after consistently winning key positions both in the local executive and legislative departments in the past elections.
The Duterte family has ruled Davao City for more than three decades. Before he was elected president in 2016, Duterte served as mayor of Davao City 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 to 2016 with son Paolo as vice mayor.
Meanwhile, his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, served as vice mayor from 2007 to 2010, mayor from 2010 until 2013, was elected mayor in 2016 when her father ran for president, and was reelected in 2019 with youngest brother Sebastian as the vice mayor.
Paolo, the president’s eldest son, was councilor from 2008 to 2013, vice mayor from 2013 to 2018, and elected representative of the first district in 2019.