Duterte: Voters want political dynasties to remain

MANILA, Philippines — Political families remain in power because of voters, President Duterte said, as he claimed to be embarrassed when people talk about dynasties.

Duterte, whose family has held political power in Davao City for more than two decades, said there was a clamor for his daughter Sara to follow his footsteps as mayor.

“Ako nahihiya kasi people keep on repeating that phrase about dynasty. Totoo man ’yan. Masama man talaga na isang pamilya lang ’yan for so many years. Ang problema ang tao (I am embarrassed because people keep on repeating that phrase about dynasty. It’s true. It’s not good if only one family is in power for so many years. But the problem lies with the people),” the President said during the oath taking of local officials in Davao City.

“I said I won’t run as mayor anymore. But they want Inday (Sara Duterte-Carpio). I will follow my party because that is the party – Hugpong (ng Pagbabago) – who will support me during the election. They are the ones who wanted it,” he added.

Sara was reelected mayor of Davao City while the President’s eldest son Paolo was elected Davao City congressman. Duterte’s youngest son Sebastian, meanwhile, won the vice mayoralty race, his first time to occupy public office.

The President’s family has been holding political power in the southern city since 1988.

Duterte previously said he was supportive of a law banning political dynasties but expressed doubts that such measure would be passed by Congress, which is dominated by political clans.

The Chief Executive also said he was open to allowing other politicians to hold political power in Davao City. He said members of his family would continue to win local elections unless they are discredited.

“If we realize that we should give them a chance, maybe after this, if my daughter Inday would decide, ‘Let us give others a chance,’” Duterte said.

“Kasi kung ang Duterte pa rin magtakbo, I’m sure huwag lang sirain ’yung pangalan, mananalo pa rin ’yan. Kasi sundin nila ’yung style ko, marami pa ring mamamatay na mga g***. Marami pa ring durugista dito na talagang maputol ’yung ulo (If a Duterte runs, I’m sure, unless the name gets tarnished, he will still win. They will follow my style. Many more fools will be killed. Many more drug personalities will lose their heads),” he added.

Duterte told politicians of Davao City to put up a strong opposition so voters would have a choice.