THE CULMINATION of Davao City’s charter day was politician-studded as allies of the Duterte family graced the Parada Dabawenyo, the culmination event for the month-long festivities for the 89th Araw ng Dabaw Parade.
The city’s founding anniversary coincided with the 81st birthday of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The parade—starting at 6 a.m. until around noon from Roxas Avenue, C.M. Recto Ave., Rizal Street, Iñigo Street, and finally stopping at San Pedro Square—drew more than 400 registered contingents.
Atty. Rowena Guanzon, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, Atty. Vic Rodriguez, Atty. Harold Respicio, Ronald Cardema, and Congressmen Leandro Leviste and Kiko Barzaga were spotted at the stage.
In his speech, Respicio, the vice mayor of Reina Mercedes, Isabela, slammed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for the attacks on the former president despite Vice President Sara Duterte’s support for his presidency in 2022, when they were running mates.
“Instead of supporting the one who helped you become president, you even had her father arrested by foreigners. You have no debt of gratitude,” Respicio said, addressing President Marcos.
He said the impeachment of VP Sara is a strategy aimed at blocking her presidential bid for 2028.
VP Sara officially announced her bid for the 2028 presidency on February 18, 2026. Despite facing impeachment complaints, she maintains high popularity.
Topacio said in the midst of the “joyful celebration” for the Araw ng Dabaw, the city is grieving for
“Nagluluksa tayo sapagkat kinidnap, kinulong ang ating Tatay Digong. Anong kasalanan niya? Inubos niya ang mga adik sa Pilipinas. Binaba niya ang kriminalidad, nilabanan niya ang korapsyon. Siya ang nakakulong (We are grieving because our Tatay Digong was kidnapped and arrested. What was his sin? He targeted all the addicts in the Philippines, reduced criminality, and fought against corruption, yet he’s the one in jail),” Topacio stressed.
Topacio said that while the country is experiencing a crisis, Congress is prioritizing the impeachment case for the vice president.
Guanzon, on the other hand, emphasized she is “putting faith” in her confidence for VP Sara’s presidential bid in 2028.
“Kung hindi si Sara Duterte ang mag presidente, walang mananagot (If Sara Duterte won’t become president, nobody would be held accountable),” Guanzon said, committing her support to the vice president, whether she decides to run for senator or not.
Second District Rep. Omar Duterte thanked the Davaoeños who greeted the former president on his birthday.
“From the bottom of my heart, I am with you. I really miss him, and I want him to return home, but let us keep our spirits up, and keep on praying for the outcome that we want,” he said.
This year’s Parada Dabawenyo, normally held on March 16, fell on FPRRD’s 81st birthday, March 28, but organizers maintained that the parade was a celebratory event to mark Davao City’s founding anniversary and the iconic celebration of 100 years of City Hall.
