Vice mayor Rodrigo Duterte
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has told his eldest son Paolo to be humble in dealing with people but be tough with criminals as the Duterte-led political party endorsed the younger Duterte to run as vice mayor in the 2013 elections.
“Be humble,” Duterte told his son during the convention of the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, even as he defended himself from accusations of building a political dynasty.
“Except for the criminals, where you have to be tough, listen to what people have to say, listen to the barangay captains. People come to you because they think you can help alleviate their troubles,” he said.
Duterte lashed back at critics who accused him of building a political dynasty, by saying “fielding somebody who is not yet strong enough to win might only weaken the new political party.”
Duterte said his tough stance against criminals has been credited for increased investors’ confidence in Davao City, hence, he needed to field someone strong enough to win the elections.
After naming the councilors’ lineup of Hugpong, Duterte left the slots of mayor and first district representative to be decided between himself and daughter incumbent mayor Sara Duterte.
Barangay captains had chanted “Polong,” Paolo’s nickname when Duterte asked them who it was they wanted to run as vice mayor under the Hugpong ticket. The pregnant mayor Sara Duterte earlier expressed doubt about running for reelection in 2013. But the two unnamed slots under the Hugpong ticket still kept people guessing.
Duterte said Hugpong has always considered the post of vice mayor important because the vice mayor would succeed the mayor if the latter could not perform his or her duties.
“Your grandfather left us a good name, your grandmother taught us good manners,” Duterte told his son in front of over 3,000 Hugpong members. He was referring to his father, Governor Vicente Duterte of the undivided Davao; and his mother, Soledad Duterte, a teacher who was once involved in Davao city’s Yellow Friday movement.
“If you mess it up, you would drag us down, and it will be the end of the dynasty,” the vice mayor said.
Paolo Duterte, the president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), admitted being nervous but said he would try to live up to his father’s name.