Duterte bids goodbye to Davao City employees

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – For the last time as Davao City mayor, Rodrigo Duterte attended the flag-raising ceremony to bid farewell and thank city government employees for their support.

“I would like to thank you for your fidelity, your trust in me and the brotherly love you have shown all these years of working with me,” Duterte said.

“I appreciate it very much. I was first elected in 1988, I never lost an election until I reached the presidency. I owe it to you… I always say look at Davao. Without the backing and the help of the military and the police and you, I would not have succeeded,” he said, referring to city hall employees.

Duterte had been city mayor for 23 years. He also served for a term as vice mayor and representative of the first district of Davao.

“We cannot totally erase graft and corruption, but at least here in Davao we were able to correct the so many errors along the way. I intend to do that for the entire country,” he said. 

He reiterated his vow to be harsh on criminals and strict with wrongdoers even as he gave assurance that the “helpless, hopeless and defenseless” could always depend on him.

As his parting gift, Duterte said city hall employees would each get a P10,000 bonus. The money should be released directly to the wives of the city hall employees, Davao City police officers and the Army-led Task Force Davao to ensure that it would be put to good use, he quipped.

Duterte gave plaques of appreciation to his executive assistant Bong Go and city administrator Melchor Quitain for their dedication to the service.

“I will bring you to Malacañang,” he told Quitain.

It was not immediately known if Duterte has offered a post to Quitain. Duterte earlier named Go as Presidential Management Staff chief.