Mayor waives permit for Yuletide carolers

By Ben O. Tesiorna, Reporter

DAVAO is an open city for carolers, Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, as he scoffed at a law that requires carolers to get a permit from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Duterte said that he would not impose such a 'stupid law.'

"We should celebrate Christmas as we conceived it to be. I will not impose that kind of stupid law. Let us celebrate Christmas with compassion for others," Duterte said.

The mayor said that just like in past Christmases, the city is open to all including the indigenous peoples who constantly troop to Davao City every holiday season.

Duterte also assured everybody that no one would go hungry this Christmas as the City Government of Davao will be feeding everyone.

That caroling cannot be done without a permit is an interpretation of the Solicitation Permit Law or Presidential Decree 1564, which provides that any person, corporation, organization or association desiring to solicit or receive contributions for charitable or public welfare purposes shall first secure a permit from the concerned regional offices of the DSWD.

The Solicitation Permit Law provides the penalty of imprisonment of not more than one year or a fine of not more than P1,000, or both, at the discretion of the court for soliciting donations or conducting fund drives without the proper permits.

Source: Sun Star Davao

Rody snaps back at NAPC for 'tomato seeds' aid

By Ben O. Tesiorna

AFTER being blamed by the National Anti-Poverty Commission over the suicide of 12-year-old Mariannet Amper, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte snapped back, saying it is the national government that has failed to address poverty in the country.

In his "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" show Sunday, Duterte said the national government "does not really address poverty" contrary to its claims.

"Muhatag og seedling pero wala may yuta na katamnan (They give out seeds yet there's no land where they could be planted)," Duterte said.

The mayor said that NAPC, in response to news about Mariannet's suicide, sent over tomato seeds as their help for the family.

The mayor admitted being pissed by the NAPC's statement blaming the City Government of Davao for its failure to address poverty that allegedly contributed to Mariannet's suicide.

Latest development on the case showed though that Mariannet could have committed suicide not just because of poverty. Autopsy on the child's cadaver showed that she could have been raped.

Police authorities said they are looking into "incestuous rape".

Mayor Duterte meanwhile assured the public that "there would not be a closure on the case until the City Government is satisfied that it's really suicide."

Source: Sun Star Davao

No more cussing on Sunday tv

By Ben O. Tesiorna

ONE week after his tongue-lashing and cussing on his "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" program, a tamed Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte appeared on television Sunday with not a single cuss heard from him, save for the word "yawa" he uttered just once.

Even before the start of their taping of the show Saturday evening, Duterte already told his guest co-host, Leilani Alagcan, that they will "try to be decent."

Decent, indeed, the only time Duterte cussed by saying "yawa" is when he talked about Rep. Prospero Nograles. Other than that, the mayor readily censored himself whenever he feels like cussing.

The Duterte seen on TV last Sunday was entirely different from the Duterte two Sundays ago.

His assurance that he will be decent this time made the officials of ABS-CBN Davao who were present during the taping heave a sigh of relief.

The MTRCB earlier said that they would look into the culpability of the TV station that allowed the controversial segment of the block-time program sponsored by the City Government of Davao.

ABS-CBN also apologized to the viewers and promised to look into the matter.

Duterte, however, defended his actions by invoking his right to freedom of expression. The mayor said no amount of regulatory board could prevent him from exercising his right to free speech.

In the same program, Duterte dared Nograles to sit with him in his television program on Sunday so as to settle their conflict once and for all.

Duterte said Nograles could come early before their taping and discuss their problem.

"Kung gusto niya, anhi siya dinhi (If he wants to, he can come here)," Duterte said.

When asked if he is open for reconciliation with Nograles, Duterte, however, said reconciliation with the lawmaker would not be good for the city and the Dabawenyos.

"I could be civil to him but reconciliation on a personal basis, I think politically it is not good. Kasi if I reconcile with Nograles, wala nang magbabantay sa kanya. Mabuti na yung ganito kami, at least alam niya may nakatingin sa kanyang mga ginagawa," Duterte said. (No one will be watching him. At least this way, I'm here to watch over his activities.)

The mayor then denied that he is bullying the Dabawenyos as Nograles claimed. Duterte said the only people that he bullies are those that are doing nothing good for the people like drug pushers, kidnappers, murderers, and abusive people.

The mayor alleged Nograles has long been abusing his power and claiming projects that are not his. He revealed that the lawmaker has about P150 million from his countrywide development fund that could not be traced.

"Hain naman ang kwarta? Boy, hibaw-an nimo (Where's that money? Boy, you know very well), you never stood for the interest of Davao City. Kadtong duna tay mga crisis dinhi ciudad, asa man ka (When the city was in crisis, where were you)?" the mayor said.

Source: Sun Star Davao