Inday bears big stick

They are afraid of her. They grew up being beaten up by her.

In the Duterte household, the alpha is not a male but Davao City Mayor Sara “Inday” Duterte, the President has acknowledged.

In a speech in Taguig City, Mr. Duterte indicated that his daughter has a more dominant character than he has.

“The alpha in our family is not me. I’ll tell you the truth, it’s not me, it’s Inday. Inday is the one commanding. She’s the one (dominant in) the family,” Duterte said.

The President related that even his sons, Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong’ Duterte and Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, were “afraid” of Sara.

“They are afraid of her. They grew up being beaten up by her,” the President admitted.

“Growing up, Inday used to be hitting and kicking them. So, when they got older, they could do nothing. That’s the truth,” the President added.

Mr. Duterte, however, said he does not want his eldest daughter to seek the highest public office in 2022.

He earlier warned Sara that the presidency could “destroy” her.

Last 19 November in a television interview, the President reiterated his advice to his daughter not to run for the highest public office because he does not want her to go through the same experiences he went through.

“I pity my daughter. I have already experienced the presidency,” the President said.

“Do not believe the clamor of the people because when the water gets rough, you’ll find that you’re the only one sailing the lonely sea,” he added.

In 2018, Duterte said he saw his daughter succeeding him in the near future. However, he changed his mind this year, saying it would be a wise decision for her not to follow his footsteps.

Mr. Duterte previously said the presidency could both “educate” and “destroy” his eldest daughter.

Sara, who also leads a regional political party called Hugpong ng Pagbabagpo, has neither confirmed nor denied plans to seek the presidency in 2022.

Earlier, she explained that her decision to run for president will depend on the prevailing circumstances, but added she could make a decision by January 2021.

Running for president required money, machinery, and guidance from God, she said.

Last May, presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Sara can decide on her own about a possible presidential run.

“We know Mayor Sara has her own independent mind. We have to leave that to Mayor Sara herself,” Panelo said.