DILG recommends misconduct raps vs Duterte

MANILA, Philippines -  The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) recommended yesterday the filing of a misconduct case against Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte for attacking a court sheriff during a demolition operation in the city on July 1.                     

In an18-page recommendation to President Aquino, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said the department could institute the filing of the administrative complaint against Duterte.

“It is our view that this Department could institute the filing of the proper administrative complaint against Duterte, if no party will or have filed an administrative case,” said Robredo.

Duterte punched court sheriff Abe Andres when he ignored her request to stay the demolition of the squatter colony in Barangay Soliman in Agdao district because thousands of families affected by floods would be displaced.

Andres refused to file charges against Duterte, a daughter of Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

“As the agency exercising the power of general supervision over cities, with its function to see to it that local elective officials act within their prescribed powers and functions, the DILG could file the administrative complaint against Duterte with the Office of the President,” Robredo said.

The recommendation, however, will not likely be implemented because the Sheriff’s Confederation of the Philippines Inc. (SCOPHIL) has filed charges against Duterte.          

“Considering, however, that a similar administrative complaint against Duterte has already been instituted by the SCOPHIL, the DILG is now precluded from filing its own administrative complaint for this will violate the principle of forum-shopping,” said Robredo. “We have acted on the incident, if no one will file (charges), we will file, if one will file, we will give them (a) copy of our report to support their case.”

Robredo said the department would ask the Office of the Supreme Court Administrator for guidelines to avoid untoward incidents in future demolition operations.