Sara bids farewell as Davao mayor

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio bid farewell to her constituents as she delivered her valedictory and state of the city address yesterday.

“Allow me to formally and with a heavy heart, say farewell. I have been called to join the race for a bigger challenge. This is a challenge that gives me the opportunity to spread my wings wider, to soar higher and reach new heights with the support of our fellow Filipinos for our beloved country,” Carpio, who is running for vice president in the May elections, said.

She expressed confidence that whoever will succeed her would be able to sustain if not surpass what the city government achieved under her term.

Her younger brother, Vice Mayor Sebastian Duterte, is seeking the post that she is vacating.

Carpio expressed her gratitude to Dabawenyos for the support she has been getting since she first entered politics in 2007.

”Your patience is letting me grow from a shy neophyte... to a confident leader today,” she said.