Friday, June 13, 2008 Dutertes, most local officials absent from rites
NEITHER Mayor Rodrigo Duterte nor his two children were present during Davao City's Araw ng Kalayaan celebrations Thursday at the Rizal Park beside the Davao City Hall. Nor were most of the city councilors and local officials.
Of the 26 councilors, only four were spotted during the Independence Day program, namely, City Councilors Tomas Monteverde IV, Myrna Dalodo Ortiz, Pilar C. Braga, and Leonardo R. Avila III.
The city mayor, as earlier reported, was on a leave of absence and is expected to return to office on Monday. Davao City Vice Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio has been appointed by her father to temporarily take over as acting mayor of the city.
It was not known why Sara and her brother, Association of Barangay Captains president and City Councilor Paulo Duterte--the eldest son of the city mayor, were absent.
The mayor was represented by City Administrator Wendell Avisado.
The simple commemoration of the country's independence was led by incoming Press Secretary Jesus Dureza who focused his speech on the responsibility of every Filipino citizen in becoming the best that they can be in their own lives.
"We need to be heroes in our own little corners," Dureza said.
Dureza added that to be a hero nowadays does not entail being shot. Instead, Dureza said "we just have to do our best in whatever field we are."
Also in attendance were the heads of the consular offices of Indonesia, Japan, and Malaysia, and the city's councilors, as well as the regional heads of the various national government agencies. (CPM)
