29/01/2025
Dear Karlo,
It’s time for some honest talk.
We now know who exploited the 2024 TomTom Traffic Index for personal gain. We now know who spent millions on a weeklong PR campaign to sensationalize the worsening traffic situation in Davao—complete with the wrong photo to represent our city.
You see, Dabawenyos are a brutally honest and practical people. We don’t sugarcoat things. We’re not fooled by hidden agendas or misleading propaganda. The moment this issue hit the headlines, any sharp Dabawenyo could tell exactly what was behind it: setting the stage for your political comeback.
And honestly, we get it.
In your roundtable discussions, we’re sure your PR team asked you what the weaknesses of the Duterte family are. What issue could you use to challenge them? And it seems you’ve settled on the city’s traffic problem. Hahahahaha.
But here’s the thing: even the ever-efficient Mayor Inday Sara Duterte wanted to remain in office for a third and final term because she’s committed to finishing the vital programs to address traffic, flooding, and other issues. Even Mayor Baste Duterte has acknowledged the severity of our traffic woes, which is why a transportation conference was held just recently to tackle the issue head-on. That’s what responsible leadership does—face problems directly, not exploit them for political gain.
The Dabawenyos aren’t blind to the reality that one of the major reasons our city has become more congested is the influx of migrants since President Duterte’s term began. Davao has become a safe haven for Filipinos who admire the Duterte leadership. Our city has grown wealthier, and more people can now afford private vehicles.
But let’s address something that’s not often mentioned: none of the thousands of Filipinos who’ve relocated to Davao City since 2016 have cited your family as a reason for their move. They came because of the Duterte brand of leadership. That’s the truth, harsh as it may sound.
Now, let’s take a quick walk down memory lane.
It’s no secret that your late father, Prospero "Nogie Boy" Nograles, and President Duterte were political rivals. What’s often overlooked, though, is that Digong never hit below the belt when dealing with political enemies. Despite being your father’s arch-nemesis, he always maintained class and never took personal jabs.
On the other hand, your father wasn’t as restrained. Maybe you were too young to fully understand, but Nogie Boy frequently spread nasty rumors about the Dutertes, yet Digong never retaliated.
Before the 2010 elections, your father who was then the House Speaker directed CHR Chair Leila De Lima to conduct a probe on what he claimed as extra-judicial killings (EJKs) in Davao City. His term as congressman was about to end. Of course, he devised a plot to destroy Digong and the Dutertes.
However, as heaven intervened, Nogie lost to a young mother, Inday Sara Duterte, in the mayoral race by over 250,000 votes. Your family has always played the dirty way, but even when your father was in his twilight years, struggling with illness, Digong chose not to destroy him. Instead, he reached out and reconciled with your father before his passing.
The point is this: Your camp has been allegedly compiling a dossier of personal attacks against the Dutertes since at least 2023, and while that may be part of the political game, we urge you to think carefully before going down that path. It won’t end well for you. When a political rival goes that low, they often lose everything—big time.
When Nogie was a sick and dying man, Digong was the most popular sitting president, with unparalleled approval ratings. He had every chance to destroy your father’s legacy but chose not to. Instead, he extended his hand in reconciliation.
Tatay Digong had even appointed you for a cabinet position. And yet, after all of this, you have chosen to betray that goodwill.
This is a reminder to you: in Filipino culture, those who lack utang na loob are the most despised. If you go down the dirty, personal attack route, it’s your choice, but it’s a road filled with consequences.
You said Dabawenyos should not vote based on loyalty to a family, but Karlo, not even a political "nepo baby" like you can erase the memories of a Duterte standing up for this city in its darkest times.
Davao City has faced some of the toughest moments in recent history, and through it all, the Dutertes have been there. When this city was at its worst, a Duterte took the bullets for us. When we lost our children, a Duterte stood with us. When terrorists attacked, a Duterte protected us. And when the CPP-NPA wreaked havoc on our streets, a Duterte fought for our safety.
These are the core memories of Dabawenyos. These are etched in our hearts and souls.
You acknowledged the Dutertes’ accomplishments in transforming Davao into a safer city but also pointed to traffic, inefficiency, and stagnation as failures that must be addressed. We agree. We are not blind to the shortcomings of the Duterte leadership.
However, we see the bigger picture. We look beyond immediate frustrations and recognize the true impact of leadership in times of crisis.
While the rest of the country complained during the pandemic, Dabawenyos donated their ayuda to other cities and provinces. Instead of whining, we planted vegetables, shared what we had, and established barter communities. This is how mature Dabawenyos think and act. This is the culture instilled in us by a Duterte.
We were proudly raised by a Duterte.
And as always, this election isn’t about the Dutertes or the Nograleses. It’s about Davao. It’s about the future of our city—choosing real solutions over empty promises, and progress over political games. We will vote for what’s best for Davao, not what benefits one family or another.
We will vote with our heads, not our hearts. And we will vote for Davao’s continued progress and leadership, and yes, we will vote for Duterte—whether you accept it or not.
