Nograles son, Carlo, is the number two nominee in the partylist.
Speaking to barangay captains who are party members on Friday at the Grand Men Seng Hotel, Duterte mentioned the alleged failure of Rep. Nograles to comply with his commitments to a deal they made prior to the campaign period.
Duterte and Nograles had agreed to form an alliance, with the former having the last say on choice of local bets while Nograles on national bets including those eying the city's three congressional seats. The alliance was made after Duterte has repeatedly and publicly announced his support to the administration of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, including the administration senatorial slate.
But Duterte said he was dismayed at how Nograles neglected to campaign vigorously for the administration party, Team Unity, and Hugpong. He told the barangay captains that Nograles spent most of his time campaigning for his son’s partylist.
Duterte, in earlier statements, had expressed his support to progressive groups such as Bayan Muna, Anak Pawis and Gabriela. The three groups were among those which called for the disqualification of Kalahi for alleged vote-buying and being backed by Malacañang.
Kalahi has styled itself as a partylist group representing Overseas Filipino Workers and their families.
The younger Nograles, Kalahi’s second nominee, has accused the progressive groups to be fronts of communist rebels.
Duterte, however, clarified he would still keep Rep. Nograles in his slate for the first district. Two independent bets, Edgar Mabilog and Anacleto Millendez, run against Nograles. Nograles sought the disqualification of the two.
MindaNews tried but failed to reach Nograles for comment. GMA TV Davao reported that he refused to comment on the matter.