January 30, 2025
by James Leonard M. Bautista, AMT
Tayo ay Dabawenyo
Na tapat at totoo
Pangarap ay matamo
Kaluwalhatian mo
Lungsod ng paraiso…
In a fierce head-to-head clash between two forces steeped in history, the Nograles siblings have thrown the gauntlet at the deep and firmly-rooted Duterte dynasty, in a bid to reclaim the renowned King City of the South, the fast-emerging Davao City from the tight grip of one family’s rule. The stage is set for a political showdown of such monumental extent, with Karlo Nograles, the former Civil Service Commission (CSC) chair aiming to destabilize the return of former President Rodrigo Duterte from the mayoral throne, and Atty. Margarita “Migs” Nograles crusading her entangled name towards Paolo Duterte for the 1st district congressional seat.
Such clash is gaining traction in a national-scale as this isn’t just a mere movement; it’s a crusade against a political command that has repressed Davao’s potential for nearly four decades under the Duterte influence. The formula of brewing the perfect machinery for people to patronize a “Duterte-ruling” made the city a fiefdom where power is passed down and inherited from one generation to another, suppressing the democratic aspirations of its citizens. Newer generations of the Dutertes have already penetrated the roots of the cities and are now building newer networks, yet traditional contraptions. The Nograles siblings are not just being positioned in a field strategically structured by the Dutertes; they have marked the commencement of breaking the so-called “impenetrable barrier”, and indulged the courage to break free from a cycle of one family political domination.
Karlo Nograles’ resignation from the Civil Service Commission to run for mayor marks his intent to end Davao’s political monopoly. His push for genuine democracy and reform offers a fresh perspective for a city long under autocratic rule. Meanwhile, Migs Nograles’ challenge to Paolo Duterte signals a shift, suggesting the Duterte bulwark is weakening as calls for change grow louder.
With the dreams of superseding autocracy and transferring the power to the people, lenses are now being focused on the citizens. Issues have both reconstructed Duterte and Nograles. Some were staged, some have been published and circulated with proof. It is a fight against the deeply entrenched corruption that has plagued Davao under Duterte’s rule. Davao under the Duterte control has been marred by numerous corruption scandals, from the juggling of public funds to the alleged involvement of the city’s high-ranking officials in illegal activities such as still-questionable “City Hall Ghost Employees”. Being critical with all the issues lingering to the ingrained name, even the distribution of DSWD funds has also been a point of contention, with allegations of irregular disbursement and favoritism towards certain political allies while familiar names are still in power even on the basic units of government – barangays. The Nograles siblings are steering themselves to the turbulent water of Davao to challenge this deeply entrenched corruption, promising genuine democracy, transparency and accountability in governance. The Duterte administration’s war on drugs has been juggling human rights abuses fused to extrajudicial killings, leading to widespread division and a culture of impunity within the Philippine National Police. This approach has resulted in corruption and misuse of power. In contrast, the Nograles siblings advocate for a more humane and effective strategy to tackle the drug problem, emphasizing respect for human rights and appropriate jurisdiction.
This clash is more likely an opportunity for Davaoeños to cling to a refined leadership; it’s a fight for revitalizing the soul of Davao City. With the masses being fueled by delusion of “pagbabago” from the mouths of those seated in power converting politics as a family heirloom, it’s due for Davaoeños to now embrace the authentic blow of change – and to remind the Dutertes that no dynasty is infinite and that the power to make Davao City progressing in a greater rate ultimately lies with the people within.
Davao City now stands at the cusp of a historic election, where the outcome will either reaffirm a dynasty’s grip on power or craft a path where power is shared with the people demonstrating a new era. It is not those who will be seated in power who will tailor the outcome of Davao City, but will only be a guiding force to bring Davaoeños in a unified platform and will equalize the spotlight to all sectors especially those who are marginalized:
Mutyang lungsod ng Dabaw
Sa iyong paglalakbay
Sa mithing kaunlaran
Ikaw ay paglilingkuran – will Davaoeños answer that call?