Duterte to spend Christmas in Davao City

MANILA, Philippines — As in previous years, President Rodrigo Duterte will celebrate Christmas in his hometown Davao City, his spokesman said Tuesday.

“Ang Pasko po sigurado (sa Davao City). Pero hindi ko pa po alam ang Bagong Taon,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised press briefing when asked if Duterte will spend the Christmas and New Year holidays in Davao City.

(For Christmas, he will surely be in Davao City. As for the New Year, I don’t know yet.)

In his weekly talk to the nation, Duterte cited the Filipino tradition of spending time with loved ones during special occasions such as Christmas.

“Mga kababayan ko, malapit na ang Pasko, kaya ako naman nandito sa Davao because alam ninyo na taga-Davao ako at dito ‘yung pamilya ko. Tradisyon naman sa Pilipino ‘yan o sa lahat na you have to be with your family — birthdays, mga events sa buhay ng tao na may significance sa family,” he said.

He then called on Filipinos to avoid partying this holiday season and follow the minimum health protocols against the coronavirus disease.

JE