President Aquino to get report on Vice Mayor Duterte assault this week: Sec Robredo

MANILA, Philippines — President Benigno Aquino III will receive the report of the fact finding committee which looked into Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s assault on court sheriff Abe Andres within the week, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo said on Tuesday.

He said that a team of lawyers had been sent back to Davao City last Thursday to get statements from the other witnesses for a comprehensive report on the mauling incident.

“Hopefully within the week, we can forward the report to the President with our corresponding recommendations,” Robredo said.

The DILG secretary said that neither his agency nor the Office of the President, had received a formal complaint or administrative charge from the sheriff or any other concerned party.

He explained that a complainant is necessary as the DILG would be acting as investigator for the case. “It cannot act as the complainant, and investigator at the same time,” he said.

Robredo however stressed that the fact finding committee would finish its work, and a report containing their conclusion and recommendations will be submitted to President Aquino even without a formal complaint.

The Sheriffs Confederation of the Philippines (Scophil) lodged a complaint of direct assault against Duterte recently but it was filed at the Office of the Ombudsman.

An irked Mayor Duterte punched Andres three times last July 1 after he implemented a court order on the demolition of shanties in Davao’s Agdao district despite her request for a two-hour deferment.