Monday, September 08, 2008 Rody welcomes Erap in Davao
FORMER president Joseph Ejercito Estrada was warmly received in Davao City by no less than Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who has always been a "no-show" in recent visits of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
The two were seen together at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao on Sunday, talking about anything under the sun.
The former president was in Davao City over the weekend to visit the neighboring cities of Digos in Davao del Sur and Tagum in Davao del Norte.
Duterte, who has gone on leave of absence during the visits of President Arroyo, was with the former president, as if to concretize the suspicions of many that he has already become part of the opposition and has finally severed ties with the administration after a falling out early this year.
The mayor earlier said that his no-show and that of Vice Mayor Inday Sara Duterte and Councilor Paolo Duterte during Arroyo's latest visit were all pure coincidence.
Such absences drew speculations that Duterte has already shifted his loyalty from the administration to the opposition.
Duterte is not affiliated with any national political party, but has his own local party -- Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod. (CPM)
