Thursday, November 15, 2007 Despite distance, word war still on By Ben O. Tesiorna
THE word war between Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Representative Prospero Nograles is still on despite the physical distance between the two protagonists. Nograles is in Metro Manila attending Congress sessions.
In a text message, Duterte reacted to Nograles's statement that he (Nograles) would be the "last man standing" in the conflict between them.
"Last man standing means that if everyone else in the city is terrorized and bullied, then I will stand up and refuse to succumb, whatever it costs," Nograles earlier said.
"Good! Then you (Nograles) will be the last man to fall down. Davao City will be freed of hypocrisy," Duterte replied through text message to this reporter.
Despite the word war between the two highest officials in the city, none of them however warned of doing physical harm against each other.
Duterte earlier said though that with Nograles's brand of politics, it is no surprise for someone to be after his life. The mayor accused the congressman of dirty politics that made him step on other people's toes.
But Nograles said he is now suspicious as to where the threat against his life really came from. It was learned that Duterte was the one who informed Nograles about the threat on his life after receiving information from his vast intelligence network.
Nograles said that with Duterte angry at him, he is more careful of his security.
