Duterte, Nograles bury the hatchet

DAVAO CITY – They were the worst of political enemies in Davao City.

But President Duterte and former speaker Prospero Nograles have finally decided to move on and forget their political differences.

Nograles was the first to apologize to Duterte, who was the guest of honor at the 41st birthday celebration of his son Rep. Karlo Nograles held at the Mergrande Beach Resort in this city late Saturday.

“If ever we were at odds before, I apologize publicly. Whatever heartaches we had before, I hope they are all gone,” Nograles said, much to the delight of the crowd gathered at the birthday party.

The Nograleses actually supported Duterte in his presidential bid in the May 2016 elections.

The elder Nograles said it was a decision of their family to go all-out for Duterte in last year’s presidential polls.

Duterte is related to the Nograles family. He is a cousin of Rhodora, Nograles’ wife, which makes Karlo his nephew.

Duterte said they were not political enemies. “Actually, even though we were considered political enemies, he supported me (in the presidential race). It was to the best interest of Davao,” he said.

Duterte also pointed out that even when the political conflict between him and Nograles was at its worst, it never got to the point of being personal.

“You know that I never ordered any of your men killed for the longest time that we were political enemies,” the President told the elder Nograles.

Duterte has always mentioned in his past speeches that Karlo was the only congressman who supported him during the campaign period in last year’s elections.

Duterte cited Karlo’s holding a sensitive position in the House of Representatives as chairman of the appropriations committee.

“Karlo’s strong public advocacies go beyond the interests of the people of Davao City. His proactive legislative work in promoting the welfare of the youth and the workers is making a significant impact in the entire country,” Duterte said.

The President said Karlo has his admiration and respect for the work the congressman has done for the Filipino people.

“I hope you stay by my side as we serve the country and work to make lasting and meaningful changes in the Philip- pines,” he said.

Duterte then presided at the oath-taking of Karlo as the newest member of the administration party PDP-Laban.