Wednesday, September 12, 2007 Rody, Nogie talk briefly on Apo View controversy By Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Representative Prospero Nograles had a short talk early Monday while waiting for the arrival of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at the Davao International Airport.
At the center of their discussion was the controversy surrounding the Apo View Hotel -- the alleged violation of the smoking ban inside the hotel.
Reports reaching Sun.Star Davao said Nograles initiated the talks when he approached and greeted the city mayor.
The two, along with Secretary Jesus Dureza, then discussed the controversy that Duterte admitted has worsened the gap between him and Nograles.
In a telephone interview Monday evening, Nograles said they talked about "everything under the sun."
The congressman said he assured the city mayor that he will talk with the owner of the Apo View Hotel and will advise them to comply with the smoking ordinance.
"I walked up to him and made the first move. Everything we talked about was in front of Jess Dureza. We talked about everything under the sun except politics. I assured him I will talk to Spam (Sonny Pamintuan) and let them comply with whatever, whatever, whatever," Nograles said.
Dureza, on the other hand, said he was surprised by the "encounter" between Duterte and Nograles since he was unaware of the brewing controversy between the two brought about by the alleged Apo View controversy.
He said the conversation between the two was however civil.
"I was initially surprised at the encounter since I was out of town (in Europe) and just returned the previous night and didn't know of the brewing issue. Although I was not conscious as to how long the two talked, but it was enough for Boy (Nograles) to say that he wanted to clarify things and for Rody to say that he was only interested in protecting the interest of the city. They were both candid and earnest in the course of their exchange. I can't really say whether they have patched up their differences, but they were able to talk and clarify each other's position. That to me is a step forward," Dureza recounted.
The conversation took place while the three Dabawenyo officials were standing outside the corridor of the airport's VIP lounge while waiting for the President to alight from her plane.
Duterte was mum on his brief talk with Nograles.
Duterte on Sunday, however, admitted publicly that it would be almost impossible for him and Nograles to see eye to eye again after the many controversies they had gotten entangled in.
In his television program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" Sunday, Duterte said he and Nograles were never on the same side of the boat in most occasions. He said the only time they were together was when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo personally requested them to hold a ceasefire during the 2007 midterm elections.
