DAVAO CITY – Majority of the people here are discontented with the leadership of Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, Councilor Bernard Al-ag said on Tuesday, October 8.
AL-AG (FB)
“Majority of Dabawenyos are discontented with this administration, and you all know that. This is an opportunity for Dabawenyos. This is good for Dabawenyos kay kung walay opposition, louy tang mga Dabawenyos (because if there is no opposition, Dabawenyos will be at a disadvantage),” said Al-ag, the running mate of former Civil Service Commission (CSC) chairman and mayoral bet Karlo Alexei B. Nograles.
Al-ag said that this city is experiencing a multitude of unresolved issues with the current administration.
“It is time for Davao City to have new leaders, with passion and experience in public service, who will listen to the voice of the people,” he said.
“The No. 1 qualification I think is your passion for service na gusto gyud ka mo serbisyo, na gusto ka mokugi nga momata ka og sayo, maminaw sa mga tao (that you really want to serve, that you want to work hard and to wake up early to listen to your people), and you want to solve the problem of your community,” Al-ag said.
He said that the Nograles and Al-ag coalition would offer a better alternative for mayor and vice mayor compared to the tandem of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte for mayor and Mayor Duterte for vice mayor.
He said that running against the Duterte family, the strongest of the political clans here, would not be very difficult because “everyone is dispensable here.”
Former President Duterte and Mayor Duterte filed their COCs along with reelectionist first district Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte on Monday, October 7.
“As you know, the story of David and Goliath, there is one thing nga naa sya, niadug sya kay naa syay ginoo (he won because he has God) I have a God whom I believe that his purpose for me is to run as your vice mayor,” he said.
Al-ag said that his expulsion from Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, the local political party of the former President, on Monday was just a mere formality as he had left in 2023 and subsequently resigned as member of two committees at the City Council of Davao as he no longer agrees with the way the current leaders are running the city.
Al-ag said that he would prioritize the revitalization of the city’s economy if he wins.
“Daghan nangawas na investor sa Davao. Daghan og walay trabaho, daghan walay income (Several investors have left the city. Many people have no jobs and no income) and this will also lead to high crime in Davao City,” he added.