Sara thanks Pa Rody for ‘the rigidity’

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio expressed gratitude to her father, President Duterte, for making her what she is today.

“I would not be where I am now if I did not have you as a father and my Mama,” Sara said in a Father’s Day message to the Chief Executive.

The President’s other children are Paolo and Sebastian, with his estranged wife Elizabeth Zimmerman, and Veronica, also known as Kitty, his daughter with partner Honeylet Avanceña. 

In her short note to the President, Sara cited the wisdom her father shared about life and as a person. 

Sara recalled how rigid her father was to his children, which helped shape who she has become as a person. 

“Dear Digong, You were hard on me about education and work. You impressed upon me that I am not a person if I am not a lawyer or a doctor and if I do not work for our country. And I am grateful for the rigidity,” said Sara, who is a lawyer. 

In several instances, the Chief Executive and Sara had differed in their stands on issues even after Duterte was elected as the country’s President in 2016.

One example was Duterte’s push for the resumption of peace negotiations with the Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front when his daughter wanted to make the rebels answerable for their atrocities against the people. She also does not want to pursue any peace talks with them.

The President also hinted a number of times that he would want Sara to become the next president as she has the qualities of a determined and committed no-nonsense public official who could best serve the Filipino people.

Even to this day, he is still awed at how Sara punched a court sheriff in 2010 for refusing to give her an hour of delay in the demolition of several houses in Barangay Agdao. Back then, Sara, who just came from another barangay where 30 people died from flooding, was not able to hold back her anger and slugged the court officer.

The President several times in the past also acknowledged the important role Sara plays in the family, especially after the annulment of his marriage to Elizabeth.

He described Sara as the one who manages the affairs of the family to keep them intact despite his separation from their mother. 

Short of calling Sara as the boss, the President always accedes to whatever Sara wants for the family. 

“I have your twisted sense of humor and the drive to achieve and these are some of my useful tools as I navigate life. Thank you. Happy Father’s Day!” Sara added.