The Mind of Rody Duterte ‘MOTHER KNOWS BEST’

By Manny Pinol

The late Soledad Roa-Duterte was not only the mother of Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte. She was also the person who had the greatest influence on the character and political career of one of the most controversial and colorful figures in Philippine politics today.

In fact, it was Nanay Soling, as she was fondly called by friends and admirers, who paved the way for Rody’s political career by refusing the appointment as OIC Vice Mayor of Davao City following the 1986 EDSA Revolution and instead recommended that the position be given to her son, then an assistant prosecutor.

A former teacher who became a street parliamentarian during the Martial Law years, she was described by her son, now the Davao City Mayor, as a very strict disciplinarian.

“Had the Child Protection Laws been enacted when I was a child growing up, my mother could have been charged with child abuse,” Duterte says in jest to stress how strict his mother was.

But Duterte admits that it was Nanay Soling’s tough character which molded him into what he is today.

On Sunday, this page will post its 4th article in the series The Mind of Rody Duterte which will reveal how Soledad Roa-Duterte influenced her son into becoming one of the most outstanding local executives in the country today.

Abangan!