KITTY Duterte, daughter and witness to the life of service of Tatay Digong, shares a heartfelt message of thanks and pride—for her father, and for the Filipino people who continue to believe in him.
“Dear Filipinos and dear Davaoeños, as a citizen I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for all the love and support you have shown. As a daughter, I cannot thank you enough.
My father, dada Rody, has been in public service for over 3 decades. In his decision to run for office each time, he has fought for the future of every single one of us. He almost never referred to himself as a politician, but rather, a “public servant”, because you, the people, are who put him there.
Now, you fought for him and showed the world that they cannot bring a good man down. They cannot orchestrate the negation of his outstanding and authentic leadership from our hearts and minds. Our memories of tatay Digong’s sacrifices shall prevail.
I have never seen patriotism as fervent as his. His love for his country runs deep in his core, in his roots and in his unequivocal pride to be a Filipino. Although it is not wrong to put family first, he is the only public servant who prioritizes his country, at the expense of everything and everyone he has.
As someone who was literally raised by him, it breaks me not to see him everyday. I know most of you are feeling the same longing for him. Fret not, because he is strong, uplifted, and healthy, and does not wish to see us in distress. Our strength is what gives him strength, take it from a daughter who truly knows him.
If he were by my side today, I would proudly tell him this: I believe the most crucial element to our victories is the fact that we don’t people-please. You are one of the very few public servants who perfectly mastered and understood that. They take the masses for fools— but Filipinos are far from that. They see right through the bullshit and straight through the candor.
He is a simple Mindanaon, who was never blinded by the lights of luxury and fame. His heart knows your hearts, that is what makes him so familiar. He is a symbol of the ordinary Filipino, in an extraordinary field.
He knows of the successes of his sons, grandsons and other candidates as well. We know that he would like to extend his perpetual love and gratitude to you all, not for electing people he endorsed, but for giving those with the same dreams and ideals as him, a chance to make our nation and our city, a better and more progressive place.
In his physical absence and with all the propaganda thrown against him, we know and we remember. The fruits of his labor cannot lie, the concrete manifestation of his service cannot lie. His distance is no hindrance, as our countrymen have felt his presence now more than ever. Davaoeños cannot be bought, Davaoeños are not for sale.
Our success is your success, always by the people and for the people. Money, power, influence and resources are temporary, but integrity, principles, grit and volition are forever. Daghang salamat, mga kababayan.”
All my love and thanks,
Kitty
Editor’s Note: This article has been sourced from the PDP Laban Facebook Page.
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