MANILA - President-elect Rodrigo Duterte did not show up at the 118th Independence Day commemoration in Davao City on Sunday.

Local residents told ABS-CBN News that Duterte, who was mayor of Davao City for over two decades, also skipped presiding over such celebrations in previous years.

Davao City administrator Jesus Melchor Quitain represented Duterte during Sunday's flag-raising and wreath-laying rites at the Davao City Hall.

Davao City Admin Jesus Quitain bilang kinatawan ni Mayor Duterte sa paggunita ng #Kalayaan2016 pic.twitter.com/mtL289DaVT | via @JohnsonDZMM — DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) June 12, 2016

Quitain could not explain Duterte's absence but he maintained confidence that the President-elect can reform government once he assumes office on June 30.

The local official also appealed to the public to support the future initiatives of Duterte.

Davao City's Independence Day celebration, which carried the themes of unity and nation-building, started with a flag-raising ceremony at 7 a.m., followed by an offering of flowers at the monument of Dr. Jose Rizal.

Mga miyembro ng PH Masonry, kasama sa mga nag-alay ng bulaklak sa monumento ni Rizal sa Davao City. pic.twitter.com/KeTFGjgCMn | @JohnsonDZMM — DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) June 12, 2016

Commodore Elson Aguilar, commander of the Eastern Mindanao Naval forces, was the guest of honor.

Also in attendance were the Consul Generals of Japan, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Teachers from the LCB Performing Arts Center Foundation, Inc. entertained the crowd with a dance number.

Mga guro na miyembro ng Davao City Performing arts, naghandong ng sayaw sa publiko. #Kalayaan2016 pic.twitter.com/FB2W9tnTmO | @JohnsonDZMM — DZMM TeleRadyo (@DZMMTeleRadyo) June 12, 2016

-- With reports from Johnson Manabat, dzMM; Katrina Domingo, ABS-CBN News