President Duterte welcomed the year 2021 in Davao City with his family.
In a photo shared by former special assistant to the President and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go to the press, Duterte was seen celebrating the New Year with his common-law partner Cielito “Honeylet” Salvador Avanceña, and their daughter Veronica.
He was also with his youngest son, Davao City Vice Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and his grandchildren.
The Chief Executive flew back to his home city after meeting members of the Interagency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) in Manila after Christmas.
He celebrated his Christmas also in Davao City, with his ex-wife Elizabeth Zimmerman and their daughter Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
In his New Year’s Day message, President Duterte highlighted the importance of family and relationships following the COVID-19 pandemic that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions.
“The COVID-19 pandemic may have cost us so many lives and material resources, but we also learned so much from it. We realized the value of human life and our relationships with each other. We understood what it means to be a family, a community, a nation. We learned to share and to look after the welfare of our brethren.”
He also urged the public to be grateful for the blessings they received and “always do good and make a difference in the world.” (Vanne Terrazola)
