Thursday, September 04, 2008 Young Dutertes stand firm vs Queensland By Grace L. Plata
IT IS father versus children as the Dutertes are divided by their stand in a controversial matter - the illegal developments embarked on by the management of the Queensland motel.
Vice Mayor Sara Z. Duterte remains in her stance against endorsing Queensland, which she made clear Tuesday.
She also said her brother and Liga ng mga Barangay President Paolo Z. Duterte are backing her decision.
In a text message late Tuesday night, the vice mayor said only three councilors, including Councilor Duterte, were swayed by her appeal to remain steadfast in their stand against Queensland. She did not reveal the names of the two others.
"Councilor Paolo also gave an adamant 'No'. I told the councilors the mayor would respect them more if they stand up for themselves pero three lang ang sway vote," Duterte said.
The City Council was locked in a meeting noon Tuesday to discuss the Queensland case but it was clear that majority of the members have shifted from their original stance to oppose Queensland in order to accommodate the mayor's appeal to endorse it.
The mayor, in a meeting last week, cited the loss of economic activity in the area as one of the main reasons for having "no objection" to Queensland's stay and continuance of its development projects. He added that if Queensland is shooed-away, a long legal battle would surely ensue as Queensland will question other applications approved by the city in similar areas.
The vice-mayor, however, refused to change her decision.
