Friday, November 23, 2007 Legislator no-show at Arroyo arrival By Ben O. Tesiorna
STAUNCH administration supporter Rep. Prospero Nograles was a no-show during the arrival of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in Davao City Wednesday evening.
The President arrived around 11:15 p.m. with only Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Secretary Jesus Dureza on hand to welcome her.
In a text message, Nograles said he failed to reach the airport in time and the plane he was supposed to board en route to Davao left him.
Nograles said he was on his way to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 7 p.m. Wednesday to catch his plane.
Four hours later, Nograles sent a text message to this reporter saying he won't be able to welcome the President upon her arrival in the city.
He said he will be very busy that day in Congress. He said he will try his best though to come home that night.
"May be able to catch the last flight out of Manila because today we put impeachment complaint in the calendar of business and may start plenary debates on justice committee report approval. My floor presence is necessary now and over the weekend here. Possible voting and explanation of vote by Monday," Nograles explained.
When asked if he is ready for a possible encounter with Duterte at the airport, Nograles said "let's see how it goes."
The much-anticipated encounter between Nograles and Duterte did not materialize though. Some said Nograles could have been cowed by Duterte's threat of harm if their paths cross. Nograles earlier said though that Duterte does not scare him.
In another text message Thursday morning, Nograles said he really tried his best to catch the last flight for Davao but failed. He also apologized to President Arroyo for not being able to welcome her in Davao City.
The Dabawenyo lawmaker said had the President not advanced her arrival schedule he could have made it to Davao City on time. It was learned that Arroyo was supposed to arrive Thursday but decided to fly out of Singapore Wednesday to visit areas that were ravaged by the typhoon.
