ALPHA IN THE FAMILY. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte poses with his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, as they prepare to head to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan for the Ceremonies of the Accession to the Throne of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito on October 22, 2019. Duterte on Thursday (Nov. 21, 2019) acknowledged that Sara is the "alpha" in the family. (Presidential Photo)
MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday acknowledged that his eldest daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara "Inday" Duterte, is the "alpha" in the family.
In an event in Taguig City, Duterte admitted that his daughter was more dominant than him.
"'Yung alpha sa pamilya namin, hindi [ako].. Sabihin ko sa inyo ‘yung totoo, hindi ako, si Inday. Kung sabihin ni Inday, ganito, ganito ‘yan. Sa pamilya namin, siya ‘yan (The alpha in our family is not me. I'll tell you the truth, it's not me, it's Inday. Inday is the one commanding. She's the one dominating the family)," Duterte said during his visit to Taguig City Center for the Elderly.
The President revealed that even his sons, Davao City Representative Paolo "Pulong' Duterte and Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, are "afraid" of Sara.
"Takot ‘yan sa kapatid nilang babae. Lumaki sila binubugbog (They are afraid of her. They grew up being beaten by her)," he said.
"Eh nag-laki ‘yan si Inday, suntok dito, sipa doon. Nung lumaki na sila, wala na silang magawa kasi… Totoo (Growing up, Inday used to be hitting and kicking them. So when they get older, they could do nothing. That's the truth)," Duterte added.
Duterte made the remark, even as he repeatedly dissuaded his eldest daughter from seeking the highest public office in 2022.
In an exclusive interview with GMA News aired on 24 Oras on November 18, Duterte renewed his call on his daughter not to follow in his footsteps, saying that she wants to spare her daughter from experiencing the most pressing challenges as the country's president.
Duterte earlier warned Sara that presidency could "destroy" her.
In February, Sara raised the possibility that she might run for president in 2022.
The Davao City mayor said she could make a decision about running for president by January 2021. (PNA)
