Citing Sara, Duterte says political dynasties are bad but can be better

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday suggested that political dynasties are not necessarily bad, pointing to his experience in Davao City where his daughter Sara succeeded him as mayor.

Speaking at the Go Negosyo 10th Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit in Pasay City, Duterte praised his daughter, Davao City Sara Duterte-Carpio, for "running the show very well" and her ability to "sustain the momentum" in keeping the city safe and drug-free.   

Duterte indicated that he would not have left Davao if he did not seek the presidency in 2016.

"I agree with you that dynasties are bad but sometimes it can be for the better. Kasi kung hindi tumakbo ‘yan si Inday actually, I would not be in front of you right now kasi I never wanted to leave Davao," Duterte said in a speech during the Go Negosyo 10th Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit in Pasay City.

"Manghinayang ako most especially so Davao is in Mindanao and Mindanao is a troubled land," he added.

The Dutertes have been dominating politics in Davao City for three decades now.

Mayor Duterte recently linked up with four governors of Davao Region to form regional party Hugpong Ng Pagbabago supposedly to coalesce support for the President's programs.

The Congress, whose membership include scions of political families, has yet to give teeth to the constitutional provision that prohibits the proliferation of political dynasties.

The issue has raised hackles of critics of the proposed Charter change to install a federal system of government, with experts warning that the change could further the entrenchment of political dynasties in government. —JST, GMA News