During meeting with PDP-Laban bets: Duterte hits Tomas anew

CEBU, Philippines — For the third time, President Rodrigo Duterte lambasted Mayor Tomas Osmeña over alleged lack of support for the police and for taking custody of three men arrested for operating a butane refilling business.

Speaking before local leaders allied with PDP-Laban Tuesday night, Duterte said he will slap Osmeña in the face if they see each other.

“Dili gani ta magkasinabot sa atong estorya tamparuson taka, dili ni si Duterte nga taga Danao, taga Mindanao ni,” he said.

The President first took a swipe at the mayor on August 31 for reportedly saying that Duterte is a “drug protector” and for telling the national government to “leave Cebu alone.”

Last September 16 in Laoag, Ilocos Norte, Duterte once again lambasted Osmeña over the release of three arrested vendors reportedly involved in a butane refilling canister business in Cebu City.

On the same day, Duterte criticized Osmeña over “lack” of logistical support for the police

Osmeña has been vocal on his criticisms against the police headed by Police Regional Office-7 Director Chief Supt. Debold Sinas and Cebu City Police Office Director Senior Supt. Royina Garma who may have been behind the killings in Cebu.

The mayor started to criticize the police publicly after the supposed assassination of his ally, Barangay Tejero councilman Jessielou Cadungog in July.

Gathering

Duterte was in Cebu Tuesday for several commitments, including a meet and greet with leaders who have allied with PDP-Laban.

Before he arrived at The Tent in Mandani Bay, Third District Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia declared unity among leaders of the seven legislative districts who delivered 1.4 million votes in the 2016 presidential elections.

“We Cebuanos of one mind and one heart have come together again, together in support of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” Garcia said.

She is running governor against incumbent Vice Governor Agnes Magpale.

She also introduced to the crowd her running mate, Daphne Salimbangon, and other congressional candidates like Talisay City Mayor Eduardo Gullas for the First District, Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Alan Cesante for the Second District, Pablo John Garcia for the Third District, Janice Salimbangon for the Fourth District, Vincent Franco Frasco for the Fifth District, Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon for the Sixth District, and Winston Garcia for the Seventh District.

Also present at the event were incumbent congressmen Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas of the First District, Benhur Salimbangon of the Fourth District, and Jonas Cortes of the Sixth District.

The Gullas-led Alayon Party of the First District, Cesante, and Cortes were allies of the Liberal Party in the 2016 elections supporting the candidacy of Mar Roxas for president and Governor Hilario Davide III.

Sitoy and his daughter, Cordova Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho, were supporting Duterte but they supported Davide for governor.

Other allies of LP who were present Tuesday were Medellin Mayor Joven Mondigo Jr., Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado.

The group from Cebu City was led by Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella for mayor, actor Richard Yap for North District representative, and Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera for South District representative.

Meanwhile, the group from Lapu-Lapu City was led by Barangay Pajo Captain Jonard Chan for mayor and Eugene Espedido for congressman, all under PDP-Laban. 

Duterte arrived past midnight and delivered a speech for more than an hour.

He told the candidates:

“Pero mo-raise ko inyo kamot, mobalik ko after Christmas, kay si Inday (Sara) naa pud siyay gipangpili, ni-raise pud, nakig-kompetensya pud ang b….g, bantay jud mo anang bayhana kay maldita na,” Duterte said.

Duterte was referring to his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, who endorsed both Garcia and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale for governor last week.

Magpale meeting?

The President was supposed to meet with Magpale also last Tuesday, said the vice governor’s son, Board Member Miguel Magpale.

"Wala nadayon ang meeting nila yesterday (October 30). Someone from PRRD protocol officer politely called VG and told her na ma-move ilang meeting in another time and venue," Miguel told THE FREEMAN.

The meeting, Miguel said, was originally scheduled after the meet and greet with the PDP-Laban candidates.

"VG was informed earlier in the evening. We did not have to wait for eight hours," he said, referring to the length of time the local leaders waited for the President at the tent. — JMO (FREEMAN)