Loot denies Duterte scolded him

CEBU, Philippines - Daanbantayan Mayor Vicente Loot clarified that President Rodrigo Duterte did not reprimand him during a meeting in Malacañang last week, contrary to what the President said during an oath-taking event at the Palace Thursday.

"There's no truth that I was reprimanded by the President. My name was mentioned in passing during the meeting but no reprimanding or scolding at all," he said.

"It did not happen. We never had the chance to personally meet and talk. We never even had an eye to eye contact," he added.

Last January 11, over a thousand local chief executives arrived in Malacañang Palace after Duterte summoned them to a closed-door meeting. Duterte, in his speech, had warned them that he will kill individuals, including local executives, linked in the illegal drug trade.

Addressing 75 police generals ranging from chief superintendents (one-star rank) to deputy director generals (three stars) during Thursday's oath-taking of recently promoted Philippine National Police (PNP) officers, Duterte revealed how he cursed former police chief superintendent and now Mayor Vicente Loot of Daanbantayan, Cebu during his meeting with mayors in Malacañang last week.

"I saw Loot. I wasn't able to hold myself, I cursed him. I told him, 'Mayor, you are guilty of treason. You were once a police officer and the government was depending on you. The government paid for (your studies) and this is what you did? It is unforgivable. I cannot reconcile how you can be so corrupt," the President said.

Cebu Governor HilarioDavide III told Provincial Information Officer Jason Monteclar that Duterte mentioned Loot's name several times during their meeting.

"Gibalik-balik daw  pag mention ni Duterte ang pangalan ni Loot ingon nga  he's treason(ous) and unforgivable matud ni Gov. Davide," Monteclar said.

But Loot stressed that none of Duterte's claims happened during their meeting.

"During our meeting, he was cordial and in the mood. In fact he does not want to sound like reprimanding the mayors. He appealed to the mayors to support him in his anti-illegal drugs program," he said.

Ronda Mayor Mariano Blanco III affirmed that Duterte indeed did not reprimand Loot during the meeting.

"Wa man ko kadungog nga nangasaba siya ni Mayor Loot. He just asks support from  the mayors to curb illegal drugs," Blanco said.

A mayor from southern Cebu who asked for anonymity, however, said the President reprimanded Loot when he saw the mayor in the crowd.

"Nasuko pero kadiyot ra man to.  Ana siya  'May  isa dyan sa Cebu. Ikaw Loot, kahit general ka pa, hindi ako takot sayo'," the mayor recounts what Duterte said during the meeting.

League of Municipalities of the Philippines Cebu Chapter President Tuburan Mayor Democrito Diamante also said "Namalikas man to pero kadiyot lang. Ana siya,'Putangina Loot nayan'."

Loot said Duterte, in his speech, advised mayors who are on the "narco list" to approach him through Presidential Management Staff Christopher 'Bong' Go.

"I heeded his advice and took it as an opportunity to talk to him and clear my name. So after the picture taking I went to Bong Go and asked him if there's a possibility that I can talk to the President. Bong Go told me to speak with PNP Chief Bato who said he will arrange a meeting with the President. We had an agreement that next week we will talk," he narrated.

Loot reiterated that he is just a victim of political intrigues.

"No cases have been filed against me up until now. But if there are, I will face them. Dili nga kanunay fall guy or scapegoat icon sa campaign name shame  aron dili sun-on sa uban. If  I'm guilty I will not voice out any reaction," he added. (FREEMAN)