DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio denied having any "close personal relationship" with a municipal councilor in Davao del Sur.

"It has come to my attention that Municipality of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur Councilor Jose Nelson Sala Sr., or Tata Sala, has been mentioning my name and publishing photos of us together taken during public events to show appearance of influence," Duterte-Carpio said in an issued statement on Thursday, February 20.

She bared not having any involvement with his transaction "whether legal or illegal."

She, however, did not elaborate the details behind Sala's action.

Duterte-Carpio, meanwhile, called on law enforcement authorities to enforce the law equally to all even if they are close allies of President Rodrigo Duterte.

"The law applies to all -- whether they are a friend or not. I believe this is the essence of the Duterte administration," she said.

Sala is a former barangay captain in Diwalwal in Monkayo, Davao de Oro (formerly known as Compostela Valley).

He is currently running as national president for the Philippine Councilors League.

SunStar Davao has yet to receive a reply from Sala as of press time Thursday, February 20.