Filtered By: Topstories
News

Palace holds back comment on Duterte assault vs sheriff


Malacañang is adopting a hands-off stance on the assault by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on court sheriff Abe Andres after violence marred a demolition operation in the city Friday. But deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Duterte is not free from any liability yet, even if the sheriff declined to file charges against the mayor for Friday’s incident. “Siguro hindi na muna kami magkukumento. Alam nating nag-initiate ang Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) ng investigation. Eventually aakyat kay Pangulong Aquino yan for the decision (so) hindi muna kami magkukumento. Ayaw naming sabihin meron kaming prejudgment o bias sa magiging imbestigasyon," Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. (For now we wouldn’t want to comment. We know the Department of Interior and Local Government initiated an investigation. Eventually it will go up to President Benigno Aquino III for the final decision. So we will not comment lest we be perceived as prejudging the case yet.) On the other hand, Valte said administrative sanctions may still be recommended against Duterte even if Andres declined to file criminal charges against her. “Hiwalay ang kriminal na kaso [na maaaring isampa] ng sheriff at ang administrative charges sa ilalim ng DILG. Even if the sheriff declines to file criminal charges against Duterte, that does not automatically exempt her from possible administrative sanctions from the DILG," she said. Valte also pointed out the investigation by the DILG shows what happened Friday is not a matter of political alliances. Duterte had supported Aquino’s presidential bid last year and is perceived to be an ally of the Aquino administration. “Nakita natin sa ginawa ni Sec. Robredo... Pantay lang yan. As such we will observe the process and we do not wish to give impression that the case will be prejudged. Secretary Jesse Robredo’s investigation showed this is not a matter of alliances... we will be fair," she said. Mayor Duterte on Friday beat up Andres after learning of a violent confrontation during a demolition operation in the city. She said she had asked for a two-hour extension for the enforcement of a demolition order because she was attending to flood relief work, but by the time she arrived at the scene of the demolition, a riot was taking place. Duterte said she lost her temper because she already gave clear instructions about the extension. For his part, Andres said he was only doing his job of implementing the order for demolition, and according to him, he would not press charges against the mayor. Hours after the assault on Andres was seen nationwide on television, Robredo said Duterte could be removed from her post if proven that she abused her power. — LBG, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT