A day after she filed her certificate of candidacy for reelection as mayor, Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte on Sunday, October 3, said it would take a “miracle” for his sister Sara to change her decision to seek another post.

Duterte said this as he stepped out of the Commission in Elections office in Davao where he filed his COC for reelection.

He told reporters, who asked if there was a possibility that Sara Duterte would change her decision, given the groups that are prodding her to run for president: “It would take a miracle, but I doubt it. It’s up to them (Sara’s supporters).”

The younger Duterte said his sister is known to him as someone who does not repeat things she has already said.

“Nangyari na ‘yung nangyari. Kung saan siya masaya, kung mas comfortable siya sa reelection, kung ano ang gusto ng kapatid ko, doon tayo, doon ako,” Duterte said. (What has happened has happened. Whatever makes her happy, if she is more comfortable with reelection, whatever she wants, we should support her, I would support her.)

He also called President Rodrigo Duterte’s announcement of his decision to retire from politics “appropriate.”

“May edad na rin ang tatay ko. Mas mabuti dito na lang siya sa Davao magpahinga,” he said. (My father is also old. It’s better for him to rest here in Davao.)

Baste also told reporters he would return to the Comelec to submit the COC of his elder brother Paolo “Polong” Duterte who is seeking reelection as a Davao congressman because the deputy speaker was still recuperating from a COVID-19 infection.

He said some corrections just needed to be done in Paolo’s COC.

Baste, the youngest son of the President, is serving his first office term as Davao vice mayor.

He said he is seeking reelection to ensure that the ordinances the city council passed during his watch are implemented. – Rappler.com