DAVAO CITY - First Congressional District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte surprised his supporters on Friday night, April 11, at the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod (HTL) campaign rally at the Royal Valley, Bangkal in Barangay Talomo Proper, reaffirming his commitment to re-election bid.

The lawmaker addressed the crowd at the Royal Valley Gym with a mix of gratitude, humor, and strong political statements, reinforcing his commitment to the HTL party, his constituents in the first district, and the people of Davao.

Rep. Duterte dismissed criticisms of his absence from earlier campaign activities, stressing that if his father, former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, had not been forcibly brought to The Hague in the Netherlands, he would have been present in this country and the city throughout the year.

“Thank you so much for your support, and tell them that I’m just here on Earth, not on Mars. Everything they said against me—I can hear it, and I’ll respond in time,” Rep. Duterte said in the local dialect. His lawyer accompanied him to ensure he remained cautious in all his statements.

Rep. Duterte, disappointed with the administration and his father's situation, emphasized that he has held back from making controversial statements. He also took a swipe at his political rivals, saying he would not and never allow them to have him disqualified during this campaign period.

Injecting further humor into his speech, Rep. Duterte agreed with his political rivals that his office is closed—Saturdays and Sundays—and clarified it’s efficiently operational and open for all from Mondays to Fridays, ensuring that services and assistance are accessible even in his absence.

“We made sure that we have the right system in place, so we can still provide help even during times when I am not physically present, especially now that my family needs me,” the lawmaker said, emphasizing that the welfare of his constituents here in Davao City remains his top priority as this is his duty to do so.

Rep. Duterte expressed his profound gratitude for their unwavering support of his father and the rest of their family. He assured them that the former president remained in good health, sharing a message he had received confirming that his father had just taken a bath and was doing fine.

He said the elder Duterte could finally eat now, unlike when he arrived at The Hague, where he had no appetite as he did not like the food there. He added that he got his favorite drink and that people there are trying to cook monggo for him without dried fish, though — “So, it’s a bit bland.”

“I sincerely thank all of you for your unwavering support, especially for our father, Rody Duterte. Thank you so much for your support. Everything you did for his birthday reached him,” he said, assuring supporters that the elder Duterte appreciated their love, concern, and prayers for him.

Rep. Duterte also mentioned that he talked all night with his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, who is also concerned about their father. He said he could not continue campaigning as he had to take over for Honeylet Avanceña and his sister Veronica “Kitty” Duterte at The Hague.

The lawmaker also addressed the challenges faced in the local political landscape, pointing out that the administration is not aligned with their political group. He referred to political adversaries as “traitors” but quickly checked with his legal counsel to ensure his words were appropriate.

Rep. Duterte urged his supporters to vote straight for the 10 Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) senatorial candidates, and include former Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II and retired Colonel Ariel Querubin as among the 12 strong choices in the May polls.

He also encouraged the people to support the Pwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat (PPP), a partylist for Filipino seafarers endorsed by his siblings, Vice President Duterte, Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, and their father, the former Chief Executive. He said this partylist is for everyone. He cautioned against voting for candidates from rival political groups.

Rep. Duterte quipped about the limitations of his campaign messaging. He said, “I can’t curse, I can’t insult my opponents, I can’t do acrobatics or dance. Maybe I should just act cute instead.” He further energized the rally’s atmosphere and the crowd by briefly dancing to "Imagine Dragons" by Thunder.

With his signature mix of wit, humor, and straightforward messaging, Rep. Duterte reaffirmed his commitment to his re-election campaign while reinforcing his family's enduring political legacy in Davao City. He reiterated the message not to let the elder Duterte’s sacrifices go to waste.