'Duterte not yet off the hook'

MANILA, Philippines - Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio might not yet be off the hook despite the absence of a formal complaint against her for attacking a court sheriff during a chaotic demolition in the city last July 1.

A source, privy to the report of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) fact-finding team, said the mere fact that Duterte’s act of hitting sheriff Abe Andres was caught on national television could be enough basis to hold the mayor administratively liable for misconduct.

The source, who requested anonymity for lack of authority to speak about the case, said the fact-finding team expressed belief the administrative culpability of Duterte could also proceed from her acts of intervening in the implementation of a demolition order by a legitimate court.

“Duterte may have prevented bloodshed or other injuries on residents and the demolition team but attacking a sheriff, who was merely implementing a court order, was uncalled for,” said the source.

Earlier, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo said the DILG could not file charges against Duterte after the sheriff refused to press formal complaints. Robredo clarified that appropriate action against the mayor would be included in his report and recommendation to President Aquino.

Robredo, however, refused to disclose the contents of his report to the President.

The source said the fact-finding team reported that Duterte could have prevented bloodshed and avoided being embroiled in the controversy by giving instructions to policemen to temporarily stop any act of demolition while she was diplomatically settling the issue.  – With Paolo Romero