DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 12 June)—Vice President Sara Duterte said she is not aware of the rumors about the possible suspension of his brother, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.
Vice President Sara Duterte during the Independence Day rites in Davao City. MindaNews photo by MANMAN DEJETO
“I know nothing about his supposed suspension. If there’s a document that will show he will be suspended, we’ll wait and see,” the vice president said in the vernacular when interviewed by reporters during Independence Day rites here Wednesday morning.
The issue was raised following claims by former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque last June 7, saying that Baste will be suspended due to his participation in the Maisug rally, where he expressed his views against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and his questioning why 37 Davao City Police Office (DCPO) personnel were relieved amid the Philippine National Police’s investigation of the killings after the mayor declared a “war on drugs” in March.
Roque cited the cases of Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama and Davao del Norte Governor Edwin Jubahib, whom he said were suspended on “flimsiest grounds.”
The vice president said “to wait for [Baste’s] legal actions” if the suspension might be indeed served.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos was quoted in reports as denying Roque’s claims, daring the latter to reveal his sources, and calling the news as “chismis.”
Mayor Duterte earlier said there is really problem in the relationship between the Davao City local government unit and the national government led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. but admitted there is “little conflict” (“samok gamay”) and a bit politicized.
“Perhaps, at any moment, because I do not agree with them, and vice-versa, I might be suspended. But these are just rumors, and has not happened,” the mayor said in the vernacular on Monday during a barangay event.
On Tuesday, city councilor Bonz Andrei Militar called for unity among Dabawenyos amid the alleged suspension warnings on Mayor Duterte and Vice Mayor Jay Melchor Quitain Jr.
In a privilege speech during the city council’s session, Militar said Dabawenyos must send a clear message which “will not tolerate actions undermining the very foundation of a just and equitable society.”
“These news of rumored suspensions, whether grounded in truth or not, have caused unease and speculation among our citizens,” Militar said. (Ian Carl Espinosa / MindaNews)
