Former Davao City Mayor Sara Dutere, seen here with Vice-presidential aspirant Chiz Escudero, seeks a reelection in the coming 2016 general elections. Photo from dabawenya.net
Since 2001 up to the present, the mayoral race has been repeatedly nabbed by a similar surname-Duterte. And with Rodrigo Duterte, the incumbent mayor, eyeing for presidency in 2016 elections, Inday Sara, her daughter, seeks to take over the position that will be vacated by her father, and the position she once held. Attempt for replacement is an idea that did not receive any strong support and clamor from the people.
Good leadership and service
Juliet, a street vendor in the city, believes that the dominance of Dutertes in mayoral race in Davao is a pure reflection of their good leadership and performance.
“Dili man pud ta makaingon jud na kwartahan jud ang mga Duterte. Daghan lang jud ang nagasalig sa ilaha kay maayo pud baya ang pamalakad nila diria,” she said.
It can be recalled that during the tenure of Duterte (Rodrigo), several landmark ordinances were legislated and policies imposed in Davao City that dramatically changed the lives of Davaoenos. Among which were City Ordinance No. 0367-12 or the “New Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance of Davao City”, City Ordinance No. 060-02 or the Firecracker Ban, and Executive Order No. 39 or the Davao’s Speed Limit.
All of which were met with positive and negative feedbacks, but produced beneficial results in the long run. The firecracker ban for example maintained zero casualty during Christmas and New Year, while the Speed Limit order reduced car accidents by 42.9% according to Traffic Management Center.
Businessman Jenelle Nagayo files his certificate of candidacy before the COMELEC, challenging former Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on the mayoral seat. Photo by Ace Morandante/Davao Today
Dynasty as corruption’s breeding ground
Juliet, however, is disturbed by the negative results that may arise because of this emerging political dynasty. As a native resident of Agusan province, she had heard several allegations of corruption smeared to their leaders.
“Dili pud ko makaingon nga okay kay murag nagduha-duha pud ko ba. Pareha ra man gud na didto sa amoa sa Agusan. Ang mga naa sa posisyon, pamilya pamilya gihapon. Siyempre magka konchabo gihapon ba. Wala ta kabalo kung naa na ba sila’y ginabuhat na dili maayo,” she said.
According to Edu Gariguez, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) National Secretariat for Social Action CBCP-NASSA executive director, political dynasties are the cause of the persistence of corruption in the Philippines. He therefore advocated for their removal from power, and encouraged the voters to critically examine the candidates who are coming from the same family.
Will-o’-the-wisp attempt?
From 2001 up to the present, several mayoral candidates like Justinian Joaquin, Teodoro Mantilla, Henry Satera, Rodrigo Sulamin, and Prospero Nograles tried to win the mayoral seat but failed. In next year’s election, two candidates will run in the mayoral race. Jenelle Nagayo, a businessperson from Sasa District, will try to stand against Sara Duterte.
Nagayo’s attempt may be elusive. Although, the election is still set few months from now, it appears that Davaoeños have already decided who to vote. The University of Mindanao’s Institute of Popular Opinion (IPO) survey revealed that 80% of the respondents would vote for Sara as the Mayor. Despite this, the final results still remain uncertain.