Duterte vs Nograles still on

DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte hurled criticisms against his political rivals anew as he maintained with his earlier warning for Dabawenyos to vote straight either for the Dutertes or the Nograleses for city officials.

The mayor told his viewers that for the benefit of the city and its people, Dabawenyos better choose well between the Nograleses and the Dutertes. He said a mixture of both in the City Government will surely wreck havoc in the local governance.

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“If you are for Nograles, vote for his entire slate. Para walay samok (So there will be no problem). Winner takes all ni,” Duterte said.

On Sunday’s edition of his television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa," Duterte first criticized vice mayoral candidate Benjamin de Guzman for stating that mayoral candidate incumbent Vice Mayor Sara Duterte is very dependent on her father and is letting the mayor do all the talking for her.

The city mayor said it is but natural for children to be dependent on their parents.

"Kinsa bay gisaligan ni Karlo (Nograles)? Tigmo tigmo ta dinhi. Si Inday Sara gasalig sa iyang papa, si Karlo gasalig asa? Asa man diay magsalig ng mga anak, sa ilang papa man gyud (Who do you think Karlo Nograles is getting support from? Let's take a guess here. Inday Sara gets support from his father, Karlo gets support from whom? Where else would children ask support from but their fathers)?" Duterte explained.

On the issue of a public debate between the Nograles and the Duterte camps, the mayor said he there is no need for it, adding that his opponent’s camp has never won against him ever.

"Kasi nahihiya ako. I am totally embarrassed by the challenge because I beat de Guzman twice. Mahiya ako makipagdebate sa kanya. Magpadala na lang ako ng salamin sa kanya para debatehin niya ang sarili niya. There is nothing to debate. Same with Nograles, ano man pag-usapan namin, yung pagiging 4th top official niya sa bansa? So what, everybody's not happy with you. Kung talagang matatalino kayo, bakit di kayo nananalo?" Duterte said.

The show's co-host Councilor Mabel Sunga-Acosta also clarified rumors that she is withdrawing from her candidacy as representative of the first congressional district of Davao City due to lack of funding.

She vowed to keep on with her candidacy to the very end.

Duterte meanwhile told Acosta that many Chinese businessmen are supporting her against her opponent Karlo Nograles.

“Hindi kami Lakas, Hugpong ako. I never shifted to any party. But I'm telling you Mabel karamihan ng supporters mo is from the Chinese community. Gusto kasi nila wala talaga yung dalawang Nograles,” Duterte said. (Ben O. Tesiorna)