DILG won’t punish Sara Duterte

MANILA, Philippines—Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo said Friday his department’s recommendations to Malacañang on the case of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte who repeatedly punched a sheriff early this month would not include sanctions.

He noted that no formal complaint was ever filed against Duterte; thus, the Department of Interior and Local Government could not actually punish the mayor, who voluntarily went on a five-day leave after the controversy made headlines.

Instead, Robredo said the recommendations would not only touch on Duterte’s case but would be a general guide on how local government officials should conduct themselves in similar situations as Duterte found herself in.

Robredo told reporters that the DILG fact-finding team had already finished its report on the subject, but he sent it back to the legal service because it was missing certain details.

He said the DILG would submit on Monday or Tuesday its recommendations to Malacañang, which would ultimately decide on Duterte’s case.

An incensed Duterte was captured by TV news cameras punching sheriff Abe Andres after the latter insisted on implementing a court order to demolish shanties in Agdao district, despite her request to hold it off for two hours.

Andres did not file charges and instead apologized to the mayor.