President Duterte calls daughter Sara ‘maldita’

DAVAO CITY — As if taking a swipe at his daughter Sara, who recently figured in the ouster of his staunch ally at the House of Representatives, President Rodrigo Duterte called her “maldita” (naughty).

“What have I done? Go to Davao, walk the streets 24 hours,” he said, referring to his stint as Davao City mayor.

“But Inday (Sara) must have overdone it,” the President said, comparing her performance as incumbent city mayor. “As early as 12 a.m., no one could be seen smoking anymore, Davao begins to feel like Good Friday, maldita man gud (because she’s naughty),” he said.

“You could not win an argument especially with a daughter,” the President concluded. “Yawyawan ra ka (You’ll get a sermon). She’s very strict. Try to order beer and she’ll make you drink all of it, no more dancing on Saturdays, the dancing gets done at home, that’s why there are more children.”

Lawmakers had said that Sara Duterte was behind the move to unseat former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Duterte’s staunch ally. According to reports, she called on trusted lawmakers on the eve of the President’s State of the Nation Address (Sona).

READ: Solons say Sara Duterte played key role in Alvarez ouster

Sara refused to confirm or deny this.

She had an argument with Alvarez last February when she learned that the former House Speaker had called her “part of the opposition” when she organized the Hugpong ng Pagbabago regional political party.

Alvarez reportedly perceived that the party will run against the ruling PDP-Laban party, which he led, and is also the President’s party.

Alvarez was replaced by former president and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The President had reportedly threatened to walk out of his Sona when he saw the power play unfolding in Congress. Instead, he delivered his speech straight from the prompter without a single expletive, which used to pepper all of his speeches. /ee

READ: Duterte had threatened to walk out of own Sona – Sotto