Davao City Mayor apologizes to punched sheriff

by Sunstar Davao, published on June 28, 2012


DAVAO CITY, Davao — Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has apologized to Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 16 sheriff Abe Andres who got at least four punches from her last year.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte

The lady mayor punched Andres  for ordering the demolition of shanties in Barangay Kapitan Tomas Monteverde Sr. Suliman, Agdao district, despite a plea from her to wait for two hours because she needs to be there before any demolition work starts.

The incident has led to filing of administrative charges and disbarment case against Duterte-Carpio but Andres opted not to sue the mayor.
Duterte-Carpio extended for the first time on Thursday her apology to Andres, who was detailed to the Supreme Court in Manila a few weeks after the punching incident.

"Gusto lang nako ipa-abot kay Abe Andres ug sa iyang pamilya bisag wala sila didto, apektado sila sa nahitabo (I wanted to extend my apology to Abe Andres and to his family because I know that even though they weren't there, they were affected by what had happened)," Duterte-Carpio said.
The mayor took the initiative despite her lawyers’ instruction not to apologize as it might be construed as an admission of guilt.

But when asked if she will also apologize to RTC 11 Branch 16 presiding judge Emmanuel Carpio, the mayor said she won't do so.
Carpio issued the writ of demolition on June 21, 2011 against settlers in Suliman, Agdao. The demolition, that was implemented July 1 last year, resulted in a riot between residents and demolition team members.

"Ongoing pana ang among away hantod karon (Our disagreement is still ongoing now)," the mayor said.
Sun.Star Davao tried to get Carpio’s reaction on Thursday but he was already out of his office.

Meanwhile, the RTC Branch 16 still has no replacement for Andres. In the absence of a sheriff, assignments from the branch are forwarded to the four deputy sheriffs of the RTC-Office of the Clerk Court, lawyer Edipolo Sarabia earlier said. (Sun.Star Davao/Sunnex)


source: Sunstar.com.ph