Duterte to meet Vis-Min officials in Cebu

President Rodrigo Duterte will be in Cebu on February 12 to meet with all local chief executives in the Visayas and Mindanao.

Rene Burdeos, Department of the Interior and Local Government-7 director, however, said there is still no memorandum on the purpose of Duterte’s meeting with the officials.

“There is no pronouncement as to what will be discussed but we will expect to hear the president's stance about his fight against corruption, illegal drugs, and the priorities of his administration,” Burdeos told The FREEMAN.

Yesterday, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña received the urgent memorandum released by DILG-7 regarding Duterte’s visit.

In the memorandum, Burdeos said the Office of Undersecretary Austere Panadero issued the advisory of Duterte’s meeting with the municipal mayors, city mayors, provincial governors, and DILG regional directors for Visayas and Mindanao.

Burdeos said only local chief executives with valid reasons such as being not in the country or sick will be allowed to skip the meeting.

He said chief executives are not allowed to send their representatives to the meeting.

The gathering is set to take place at 12 noon of February 12 in a hotel in Cebu City.

The meeting room will be closed at 1:30 p.m. as the president is expected to arrive at 1:45 p.m., it said.

Aside from the president, DILG officer-in-charge Eduardo Año is also expected to deliver a speech during the meeting.

Osmeña yesterday confirmed his attendance.

If given a chance to talk to the president, Osmeña said he will possibly discuss the termination of one national government officer who reportedly compromised in favor of “a major tax evader.”

Further, the mayor said he will recommend that Cebu City Police Office Director Police Senior Superintendent Joel Doria stay in his present position.

“Doria was very good. I had my doubts about Doria but he is very thorough. He is thorough that Metrobank considered him one of the 10 outstanding citizens in this country,” the mayor said.

The position of CCPO director will reportedly be vacated as Doria has served to the two year-maximum service to the office.

But Osmeña said he will not reveal “all his punches as someone will block his plans,” especially when it comes to the national government.