Sunday, May 20, 2007 Duterte denies rift with village chiefs By Grace L. Plata
DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, heading for his last three-year-term, on Saturday denied rift with any of the city's barangay chiefs.
In fact, he invited all village officials to a meeting Thursday at the Grand Men Seng Hotel to personally thank them for their support to his local party, Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod, which dominated the May 14 elections.
Duterte also denied he is at odds with Barangay 76-A Captain Celso Tizon over some vehicles allegedly confiscated by the city mayor due to Tizon's support to a particular partylist not endorsed by the mayor.
"It's not that, hindi ako galit sa kanya (I'm not mad at him). The city really owned that vehicle, ipinahiram lang sa barangay (just lend it to him) but now the contract has already expired kaya kinuha yung sasakyan para ibang barangay naman ang makinabang (so, the vehicle was taken from him for others to also use)," Duterte said.
The mayor said he is not at odds with any of the barangay chiefs in the city, especially that they have his gratitude for their continued support and cooperation.
He added he is especially happy that 3rd district congressional bet Isidro Ungab, who was endorsed by the mayor, is leading in both official and unofficial count.
