Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte. (PNA file photo)
DAVAO CITY – As the city celebrated the 84th Araw ng Dabaw on Monday (March 1), Mayor Sara Z. Duterte reiterated her call to supporters to spend their money on the needy instead of using it for motorcades and tarpaulins urging her to run in the 2022 presidential election.
“Let us instead use our power and resources to give food to those who are short on money and hungry and create jobs for those who lost their livelihood,” she said.
Even if she is not planning to throw her hat in next year's presidential race, Mayor Sara said the "show of strength and unity" of her supporters was enough to mobilize Filipinos to address poverty.
“There is no need for you to keep on calling my attention [to run for president] through motorcades and tarpaulins, I heard you, and I understand what’s in your heart. Because that is also what I felt,” she said.
Duterte also thanked her supporters for trusting her abilities to lead.
“Once again, I am grateful to all my friends who believe in me and who relentlessly express their call for me to run for president. The unity and strength that you have shown gave me comfort knowing that I have friends like you,” she said.
Earlier, the mayor told PTV-Davao that motorcades entail gasoline expenses and other costs.
“Let us instead give the budget for the motorcade to the less fortunate to buy food,” she said, adding that motorcades also cause traffic and worsen air pollution.
In recent media interviews, Duterte has repeatedly shot down any possibility for her to follow in the footsteps of her father, President Rodrigo R. Duterte. (PNA)
