Davao mayor berates solon over miner, suicide

Sun.Star: DAVAO CITY -- It's a fact that Dabawenyos will have to live with: their two top politicians can never ever see eye to eye. This was what Dabawenyos witnessed once more as they dropped everything they were doing and watched Sunday's "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" television program of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte where he harangued and cursed first district Rep. Prospero Nograles for one full hour, no commercial breaks. When the one-hour show ended, Duterte said he will be back next Sunday as Dabawenyos resumed their Sunday morning activities. Calling Nograles a hypocrite and several other cuss words, Duterte berated the lawmaker for backbiting him and for causing the publication of the P2-million bounty for fugitive Nelson "Tata" Sala in a national paper. Duterte revealed that Nograles was the one behind its publication at the Tribune because the lawmaker was trying to get back at Sala for campaigning against Nograles's bet for barangay chair in Talomo. Sala campaigned for the mayor's bet in Talomo. As a result, Duterte said his bet won the elections and Nograles's bet lost. Duterte said Nograles ordered the National Bureau of Investigation and all the other law enforcement agencies to arrest Sala or he will initiate a congressional inquiry into why Sala remains free despite a warrant of arrest. Sala, once among the most visible gold miners in Mt. Diwata, Monkayo, has become scarce for several years now after he was charged with the murder of a European national. The mayor said Nograles's action just showed that what he is saying is opposite to what he is doing. Duterte showed on TV a local paper's headline that says Nograles is calling for all newly elected barangay officials to forget politics. "Ipokrito gyud ning si Nograles. Kanang imong style, baho ra ka kaayo (Nograles is a hypocrite. His style of politics stinks)," Duterte said. Manette issue Duterte did not spare Nograles's alleged snide remarks against the city for the suicide of 11-year-old Mariannete Amper. The mayor said Nograles blamed the misappropriation of the huge intelligence fund of the mayor for Manette's suicide. Duterte showed the liquidation of his intelligence fund, which he said is subject for accounting by the Commission on Audit national office. The mayor said he would resign if anybody can show evidence he pocketed the intelligence fund. On the other hand, the mayor said, had the congressman used the money spent for his numerous billboards in buying rice and food for the impoverished residents of Ma-a, then Manette would still be alive today. Ma-a is in the first district. The mayor also questioned the alleged projects of Nograles outside his district. He said there could only be two explanations for this: "Mudagan ka pagka-senador or ghost projects ni (Either you are planning to run as senator or these are ghost projects)." Duterte also blasted the congressman for sending broadcaster Alex Adonis to jail just because he wanted to clear his name. Duterte said Nograles even asked his help for "damage control" on the issue. "'Tang... ka, pagka-ipokrito nimo. Nagpapreso ka ug tawo nga misulti ug tinuod, ikaw ang namakak (You are a hypocrite. You sent someone who was telling the truth to jail when all the while you were the one lying)," Duterte said. The mayor did not say what issue he was referring to, but Adonis is now serving a four-year sentence at the Davao Prison and Penal Farm (Dapecol) for libel over the now infamous Burlesk King issue that involved Nograles. Apo View issue On the Apo View smoking violations issue, Duterte said when Nograles approached him for a chat at the Davao International Airport while waiting for the arrival of the President he hurled invectives at the lawmaker for prioritizing Koreans over the Dabawenyos. "Ingon nako sa iyaha, putang-ina ka Boy mas giprotektahan pa nimo ang Koreano kaysa Pilipino (I cursed him, telling him that he is protecting Koreans first over Filipinos)," Duterte narrated. He said Nograles simply replied that he will take care of everything and did not make any violent reaction to Duterte's invectives. Rematch Duterte said he is already fed up with Nograles's dirty style of politics. He challenged the lawmaker to a rematch in the mayoral race. Duterte said many sectors, especially the businessmen, are afraid of Nograles becoming the city mayor. Duterte said his parents had taught him never to steal from the people's money. Duterte also advised Nograles not to attempt to start violent politics here in Davao City, warning the politician that he (mayor) has so many beans to spill. "Ipiton ta ka. Iyagyag nako ang mga sikreto nimo (I'll push you to the wall. I will reveal all your secrets)," the mayor warned. Mayor does not scare me "Mayor (Rodrigo) Duterte does not scare me. And he can't scare me because I won't allow it." This was the reaction made by Davao City 1st District Representative Prospero Nograles to the invectives and warnings made by Duterte against him during the mayor's one-hour television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" Sunday. In a text message, Nograles questioned the close association between Duterte and the fugitive miner from Mt. Diwata, Nelson "Tata" Sala, hinting that Duterte could have a hand as to why Sala remains scot-free despite the numerous sightings of him in the region. Nograles observed that Duterte has become the law here in Davao City and the entire region that whatever he says, everyone follows even if some laws are violated. "The mayor is furious at me and attacks me personally because police and the law enforcement agencies who receive his intelligence funds are going after and trying to arrest a fugitive from justice and one of the police's most wanted in the country. Who is Tata Sala? What is mayor's connection with Tata Sala that he can't enforce the law against him? Why can't the entire police here arrest Tata Sala? Why can Tata Sala openly campaign in our barangay elections? What has the guy done for the mayor that nobody here can arrest him? You mean all law enforcement here is harboring a 'fugitive from justice' and are in conspiracy in the obstruction of justice?" Nograles asked. "You mean he is now also admitting all extrajudicial killings in Davao can't be solved because of the mayor himself? Does it also mean that if the mayor says vulgar invectives on TV nobody can censor and it's permitted to be aired by TV stations? You mean all Dabawenyos should follow the law except Duterte because the law is what he says? Come on guys, give me a break," he ended. Karma Duterte also advised Nograles to be wary of his actions especially when he is stepping on the foot of other people. "Ayaw sige'g panligis ug tawo. Dili hangtud sa hangtud congressman ka. Tingala ka pang ngano naay gusto mupatay nimo (Refrain from running over people. You will not be congressman forever. You shouldn't wonder why some people want you dead)," Duterte said. He said that when he first learned of the death threat against Nograles from his vast intelligence network, he immediately instructed Prosecutor Raul Bendigo to inform Nograles about the threat. The threat, Duterte said, was traced back to Metro Manila. He said this time around though, he will not be a sympathetic to Nograles as before. "Ako man pud lagi mapasanginlan (I'll get the blame, anyway)," said Duterte. The mayor said Nograles simply brings out the worst in him thus his non-stop cussing in the entire program.- Sun.Star