Duterte hits ex-Bacolod mayor Puentevalla for allegedly twisting his speech

President Rodrigo Duterte has accused former Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella of twisting his recent remarks to make it appear that reelectionist Mayor Evelio Leonardia has ties to the illegal drug trade.

Duterte, in a video uploaded on his Facebook page on Thursday, said he had never identified Leonardia as one of the politicians allegedly involved in illegal drugs.

He also said Puentevella is not on the narcolist which included 46 local officials who are now facing administrative charges before the Office of the Ombudsman. 

"'Yung sinabi ni Mayor Monico na pinangalanan ko si Leonardia as one of the... Hindi totoo po yun. I was purposely and intentionally, binaliktad 'yung salita. Hindi naman ho fair 'yan. Actually, my advice kay Mayor Monico is that huwag ganoon," he said.

“Gamitin mo pangalan ko, tapos 'yung mga speeches ko ini-splice ninyo tapos dinagdagan ninyo ng ibang–pinaghahalo-halo ninyo na lalabas na si Leonardia ang nasa droga. Mali po yun."

Duterte said he mentioned Leonardia's name in a speech in Victorias City, Negros Occidental on March 8 while recalling his meeting with mayors years ago in Malacañang where the President took up the drug problem. 

“When I rattled off the names, I never mentioned the name of Mayor Leonardia. I just mentioned the names and sinabi ko, 'Hindi ba mayor nandoon ka?’ I was referring to a previous meeting dito sa opisina ko," he said.

“Pinatawag ko lahat ng city mayor. At nag-warning ako sa lahat, sabi ko, 'Wag kayong pumasok diyan.’ Alam ng lahat ‘yan na yun ang sinabi ko," he added.

Duterte said he was supporting Leonardia in the May midterm elections because the latter is the "better guy, more direct and honest."

Puentevella failed to secure a second term as mayor after he lost to Leonardia in the 2016 poll. — MDM, GMA News