Still no DILG action on complaint versus Pangandaman

2009 is the year of the ox, but could it also be the year of the sacred cow?

The Department of the Interior and Local Government’s failure to act on the complaint of the victims in the recent Antipolo City golf course brawl involving Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman and his sons has raised concern that there might be “sacred cows” who cannot be touched, despite the pronouncement of DILG officials that there will be no such sacred cows in the investigation of the case.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno has not yet issued any statement on the action to be taken by the department against Pangandaman’s son Mayor Nasser Pangandaman Jr. of Masiu, Lanao del Sur who is a member of Lakas, the administration party.

Earlier, DILG Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Brian Yamsuan assured the public that the department would take appropriate action regardless of the connection to the government of the personalities involved.

“There will be no sacred cow in this incident,” said Yamsuan of the reported mauling incident last Dec. 26 at the Valley Golf and Country Club in Antipolo.

Businessman Delfin de la Paz, 56, and his son Bino Lorenzo, 14, were allegedly beaten up by the secretary’s sons Nasser Jr. and Hussein and their companions during an altercation at the Valley Golf Club.

The elder De la Paz said Secretary Pangandaman witnessed the incident but did not stop his sons and their bodyguards from attacking the victims.

Mayor Pangandaman denied the accusation and accused De la Paz of having started the fight.

De La Paz said the incident started after the Pangandamans allegedly broke golf etiquette by overtaking the De la Paz family at Valley’s South Course.

Secretary Pangandaman had issued a public apology for the brawl involving his two sons.

Pangandaman said his family is ready to face any investigation or charges that could be filed against them by the De la Paz family.

This developed as Nasser Jr. claimed that what he did was only in self-defense.