Duterte to run for mayor again

DAVAO CITY -- A heated mayoralty race is expected here next year as Davao City first district Rep. Rodrigo Duterte announced that he will again seek the post which he held for three terms since 1987.

Duterte, known as the pistol-tucking local chief executive, unceremoniously severed ties with Mayor Benjamin de Guzman, who is supposed to be his partymate in the Alyansa sa Katawhan sa Dabaw.

Duterte declared that he will no longer support De Guzman and that they may have to run against each other in next year's elections.

Duterte had to run for congressman in the 1998 elections after his third term as city mayor.

De Guzman served as Duterte's city administrator for six years and later became his vice mayor from 1995 to 1998.

Being partymates and co-founders of the Alyansa, Duterte is considered as De Guzman's close ally and mentor. Duterte even endorsed De Guzman when the latter ran for mayor in 1998.

However, things have apparently turned sour between the two as they publicly criticized each other, even calling each other names.

This early, Duterte and De Guzman are engaged in an exchange of political tirades, indicating that each is bent on really seeking the city's top post at whatever cost.

Observers noted that the fight between Duterte and De Guzman would be one of the fiercest in the political history of the city.