Former presidents Rodrigo Duterte and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo share a light moment during a ceremony in Pampanga where the provincial government declared the former Davao City mayor an adopted son on Thursday, Jan. 26. (Photo by Tonette Orejas)
CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga—The Pampanga provincial government on Thursday adopted former President Rodrigo Duterte as a son of Pampanga, with former president and now Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo thanking the 16th president for doing major projects with long-term economic impact on the province.
His status as an adopted son was approved by the provincial legislative council by way of Resolution No. 7643.
“Ako ay nagtatrabaho lang,” Duterte said after he received a copy of the resolution handed out by Gov. Dennis Pineda and his mother, Vice Gov. Lilia Pineda, in rites attended by mayors and local officials at the Royce Hotel in Clark.
“But it is a great honor, really,” the former Davao City mayor said.
Then he backtracked, asking again why Pampanga honored him because his style of leadership was unusual, referring to his anti-drug and anti-oligarchy campaigns.
The governor in particular thanked Duterte for implementing, among others, the passenger terminal project at the Clark International Airport, Malolos-Clark phase of the North-South Commuter Railway, OFW Hospital, Pampanga Provincial Hospital in Clark, and the Southern Bypass Road.
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