Duterte spends Chinese New Year at mother’s tomb

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — President Duterte welcomed the Chinese Year of the Earth Pig by visiting the tomb of his late mother Soledad, to mark her sixth death anniversary at Wireless Cemetery here.

The President was close to his mother, who single-handedly raised five children after her husband, Vicente, passed away on Feb. 21, 1968.

While the late Duterte patriarch served as governor of United Davao before it was divided into three provinces, Soledad, also known as Nanay Soling, was a public school teacher. 

Duterte, when he was still mayor, often visited the tomb of his parents, particularly on special occasions like the day he won the presidency on May 9, 2016.

Before going to the cemetery Monday night, the President spent time with several groups, including local politicians who wanted him to endorse their candidacy in the May midterm elections.

Duterte, 73, started the ban on firecrackers when he was city mayor except during Christmas and New Year’s eves and other occasions such as the Chinese New Year.