Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio distanced herself from a Davao del Sur town councilor for mentioning her name and using photos of them together in an apparent campaign gimmick.
In a statement Thursday, Duterte-Carpio accused Sta. Cruz town Councilor Jose Nelson “Tata” Sala Sr. of using her name and photos of them together in public for his candidacy as president of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL).
Duterte said she doesn’t have a close personal relationship with Sala nor did she give him permission to use her name and their photos.
“The public is hereby informed that I do not have a close personal relationship with Mr. Sala. I am not in any way involved in his transactions–whether legal or illegal,” she said.
The PCL national election is scheduled next week. Sala is serving as interim national president.
During a meeting at the Malacañan Palace last month, President Duterte endorsed Sala’s candidacy for president and his entire ONE PCL slate
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency, Sala denied the presidential daughter’s accusation. (Rommel F. Lopez)