De la Pazes pooh-pooh DAR chief’s apology

MANILA, Philippines – Saying they did not receive a personal apology, the family of the businessman allegedly beaten up by the son of Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman Sr and his son’s bodyguards dismissed the Cabinet official’s public apology. In an interview with GMANews.TV, Marie Dhel “Bambee" de la Paz – the daughter of businessman Delfin de la Paz – said her family does not consider Secretary Pangandaman’s apology as directed to them, adding that it was not an admission of guilt in the mauling incident. “Secretary Pangandaman apologized for the incident, and not to us. My family did not receive an apology from the Secretary, so there really isn't anything to discuss," Bambee said. Bambee was reacting to Secretary Pangandaman’s earlier statement in which he said that “as a government official," it was his responsibility to pacify both camps on the incident that he said no one wanted to happen. "Bilang isang government official ako ay humihingi ng paumanhin sa nangyari, hindi naman po kagustuhan ng bawat isa ito (As a government official, I am apologizing for the incident, no one wanted this to happen)," Pangandaman said. Pangandaman's son and namesake who is mayor of Masiu town in Lanao del Sur, along with the latter’s five bodyguards, allegedly beat up golfers Delfin de la Paz and his 14-year-old son, Bino, after a brief spat inside the Valley Golf and Country Club in Antipolo City. But in the radio interview on Monday, Sec. Pangandaman denied that his son and his son's bodyguards beat up Delfin and Bino De la Paz, saying it was the alleged victims' group, which challenged Pangandaman's camp to a fight and was the first to hit the younger Pangandaman. The younger Pangandaman and his bodyguards are now facing physical injuries charges to be filed by Antipolo police. In the interview, Bambee said the police have yet to file the complaint before the Antipolo Prosecutor’s Office on January 5, 2009 “because the office is closed on holidays." Bambee, who recounted the mauling incident on her blog, thanked the people who voiced their support to their family. “To those who expressed their support to my family through my blog: Thank you so much. All the prayers, all the support, give my family hope and strengthen us in this time of need," Bambee said. - GMANews.TV