In front of my family, I’m just a ‘sergeant’ – Duterte

He may be the country's commander-in-chief, but when he comes home President Duterte is relegated to a mere “sergeant.”

The President, revealing his sentiment during an assembly in Davao City last

Tuesday, said he follows the orders of his daughters or the “generals” in his family.

The recent family getaway to Hong Kong, Duterte said, was actually made upon the order of his youngest daughter Veronica.

“I go to Hong Kong to celebrate the birthday of my wife because that was the order of my daughter. And the order of my daughter, just like the order of the mayor here, I follow,” he said during the 9th anniversary of the Mindanao Development Authority in Davao City Tuesday, drawing laughter from the crowd.

“If I’m in front of them, I’m just a sergeant. They are the generals. Really, it’s very hard to deal with a daughter,” he said.

The President made an unannounced visit to Hong Kong with his partner Cielito "Honeylet" Avanceña and daughter Veronica last weekend. The private family trip was meant for rest and recreation, according to the Palace.

In his remarks Tuesday, the President admitted that he has difficulty controlling his two daughters, Veronica, and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte Carpio. He said daughters were a “special kind,” and that he could not fight them since it would only lead to heated arguments.

“Really, it’s very hard to deal with a daughter. The boys, well, they can take a tongue-lashing or shout ‘shut up.’ But the girls, if they begin to quarrel with you…” he said.

“You cannot just say, ‘Shut up’ because the mayor would also say, ‘Ah you also shut up’,” So what would you want me to do? You mold it to a… No, daughters are a special kind. They really control,” he added.

Apart from his daughters, the President has two sons, former Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and Sebastian Duterte. (Genalyn D. Kabiling)