Local sheriffs group joins condemnation of Sara Duterte

NAGA CITY (July 27 2011) - The Sheriff Confederation of the Philippines (SCOPHIL) Camarines Sur chapter manifested support to sheriff Abe Andres who suffered public humiliation while carrying out a court order after receiving punches from Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

In a press conference the group read their statement of condemnation of Duterte’s act of punching sheriff Andres aggravated by the city mayor being a lawyer who should know that the sheriff was just implementing a court order.

Earlier this month, an angry Mayor Sara Duterte had repeatedly punched Sheriff Andres in the face when the latter refused the mayor’s request for a two-hour stay in a court-ordered demolition of illegal shanties that Andres was carrying out.

Sheriff Andres not only refused to file charges against the mayor, he also apologized to her for his failure to accede to her request.

The organization “strongly condemn the arrogance, criminal and contemptuous act of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.”

“It creates an impression that the Mayor has the power to disregard the order of the court … and the act of Mayor Duterte has caused humiliation and public ridicule to the sheriff profession,” the statement continues.

The sheriffs also score the lacuna in justice system that precludes prosecution when a victim shows lack of interest to complain for fear of his life.

They appealed to congress to fill up this loophole so that the state can take the cudgels for victims like Sheriff Andres who are hesitant to stand up against a powerful assailant.

Pelagio Papa Jr., the president of SCOPHIL Camarines Sur chapter, is not satisfied with the “slap-in-the-wrist” response of Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo to Duterte considering the gravity of her offense.

According to Pelagio Jr., the Department of the Interior and Local Government should have recommended a case of grave misconduct against Duterte.

Even if Andres is not interested in personally pursuing a case against Duterte the group is determined to continue the search for justice for the Sheriff profession, Pelagio said.

The full statement of SCOPHIL Camarines Sur Chapter reads:

Perpetual Condemnation Against Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte

We, the members of the Sheriff Confederation of the Philippines (SCOPHIL), Camarines Sur Chapter, strongly condemn the arrogant, criminal and contemptuous acts of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte by treacherously assaulting our fellow sheriff Abe Andres of RTC Davao without hearing any explanation from him, and whose only fault was to follow the lawful order of the court. It created the notion that mayors have the power to disregard and trample upon lawful order of the court. As a result, the acts of Mayor Duterte have caused humiliation and public ridicule to the sheriffs’ profession and contempt to the Court as lawyer and public officer.

The lacuna in our justice system that the assailant cannot be criminally prosecuted because the victim had lost interest possibly due to danger to his life and family for fear of fatal reprisal from awesome powers of the political kings and queens of Davao must be filled up by the State. Our lawmakers should do something about it.

Sheriff Abe Andres was suffering the hazards of his job when publicly assaulted and humiliated. The Supreme Court should protect him, as we long for it. Without this, Mayor Sara Duterte would be proud to say: “I shot the Sheriff”.

(With reports from Noriel Oya)