DILG report on Duterte assault in PNoy's hands this week

The results of the investigation by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on the mauling incident involving Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and a court sheriff will be in the hands of President Benigno Aquino III within this week. "Hopefully within the week we can forward our report to the President with our corresponding recommendations," DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo said at a press conference in Quezon City on Tuesday. A team of lawyers from the DILG flew to Davao City last week to investigate the punching incident. At the receiving end of Duterte’s wrath was Davao Regional Trial Court Branch 16 sheriff Abe Andres. The assault, which occurred last July 1, happened in full view of the public and was caught on camera by television news teams. The attack came after Andres refused to grant Duterte's request to delay for two hours the demolition of more than 200 houses in the city's Agdao district so she could personally oversee the operation and ensure peace in the area. At that time, the mayor was busy attending to relief operations to families affected by the floods in the city. Robredo said the DILG team went to Davao City two times last week for the investigation, first on Monday and then on Thursday. "[The] team of DILG lawyers went back to Davao City last Thursday to interview and get statements of other witnesses in order to come up with a more comprehensive report on Duterte's possible liability for punching a court sheriff," he said. At the same press conference, Robredo said his office has yet to receive any formal administrative complaint from Andres or from any other concerned party against Duterte. The Sheriffs Confederation of the Philippines (Scophil) has already filed a complaint of direct assault against Duterte with the Office of the Ombudsman. Robredo said the DILG cannot lead efforts to file complaints against Duterte. "The DILG cannot act as the complainant and investigator at the same time," he said. He said his agency's only role was to investigate the matter and submit necessary recommendation to President Aquino. Duterte, who was backed up both by his politician father and brother, went on a week-long leave following the punching incident. Andres likewise went on leave but reported back for work last week. He said he has no plans of pressing charges against Duterte and no longer has intentions to get involved in the demolition in Agdao. — KBK, GMA News