VP Sara joins Davao gift-giving tradition

DAVAO CITY — Christmas Day in Taal, Bangkal felt warmer and livelier as Vice President Inday Sara Duterte joined an estimated 30,000 people at the annual “Pasko Pahalipay sa Taal 2025,” a long-running gift-giving tradition of the Duterte family.

Vice President Duterte arrived at around 11:15 a.m. at the family’s ancestral home, wearing her trademark green shirt and greeting supporters who had been lining up since before dawn. Many came not just from Davao City but also from nearby provinces, hoping to be part of the Christmas tradition that began when former President Rodrigo R. Duterte was still mayor of the city.

As early as 6 a.m., the line of residents stretched as far as the Davao Ice Plant in Puan. Each beneficiary received food packs containing rice and canned goods, along with a P300 gift certificate and P200 in cash.

Addressing the crowd, Duterte thanked the people for their continued support of her family through the years.

“From all of us, we would like to thank you for all your support and trust,” she said.

The event, which was also attended by the Duterte siblings including First District Representative Paolo Duterte, Acting Mayor Sebastian Duterte, and Acting Vice Mayor Rigo Duterte, remained peaceful and orderly throughout the day.

The Talomo Police Station, under the supervision of Major Genesis Oriel, provided security, crowd control, and police visibility. Officers reported no untoward incidents during the activity.

Meanwhile, the Davao City Police Office reported zero firecracker-related incidents on the eve of Christmas Day. DCPO spokesperson Hazel Caballero-Tuazon said police personnel were strategically deployed in areas where violations were most likely to occur, helping ensure a safe and incident-free holiday celebration.

For many families, “Pasko Pahalipay sa Taal” once again lived up to its name — bringing cheer, generosity and a sense of community to Christmas Day in Davao City.