DAVAO CITY. Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s inspection of the Bucana Bridge last December 4 was done with neither fanfare from Dabawenyos nor welcome from the Dutertes due to their ongoing political feud.
The inspection of the Bucana Bridge was made ahead of its opening on December 15. The President was accompanied by Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Leo Magno, Presidential Special Assistant Antonio Lagdameo and his brother Davao del Norte.
Absent from this event are Mayor Sebastian Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte, who was at The Hague visiting their father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is detained at the International Criminal Court.
Presidential visits to cities and towns are welcomed by its local executives. Given that the Bucana Bridge started under the former president’s term, the absence of the Dutertes signals their continuing feud.
A day before the President’s visit, Mayor Sebastian posted on his Facebook account a sarcastic remark.
“Muanhi bbm ugma tan aw daw siya sa iyahang bucana bridge. Pakpak na mo daan, luoy pud tawhana.”
(BBM will arrive tomorrow to inspect the Bucana Bridge. Applaud him, he’s such a pitiful guy.)
This reception was different from the opening of the Davao Coastal Bypass Road in June 2023 where Vice President Sara Duterte was side by side with Marcos Jr.
Netizens supportive of Duterte also chided Marcos Jr’s visit for the tight security measures that caused traffic leading to Bucana. Other netizens posted videoclips of people waiting at the President’s helicopter landing while cheering “Duterte! Duterte!”
Dabawenyos also criticized Marcos Jr. over his statement that the Bucana Bridge is part of his four major legacy projects in Davao, as they claimed the project started under President Duterte in 2020.
MinDA Secretary Magno downplayed the issues thrown against Marcos Jr, saying in a press conference a day after that the presidential visit “was never political. It was an inspection — a job that the President does.” (davaotoday.com)
