DAVAO CITY -- Mayor Sebastian Duterte apologized to a netizen who complained about the recent emergency water service interruptions in several parts of the city, for humiliating her on social media.
Duterte said he is “genuine sorry” for posting a screenshot of their exchange where the mayor clapped back at Tiara Ramboanga, the netizen who criticized him for his alleged ‘inaction’ to address the problem.
“I am profoundly sorry if I caused you any form of harm or pain,” Duterte said.
According to him, Ramboanga had later reached out to him to apologize.
After the incident, Duterte admitted that complaints were lodged against him to 8888, the government hotline for citizens to lodge their ‘complaints, grievances, requests and express their needs, perceptions, and aspirations addressed to government agencies, officers, and employees.’
Last September 18, Duterte posted on social media the screenshot captioned ‘Sunday vibes,’ of the exchange between him and Ramboanga.
“Most livable city pa ba ta mayor? (Are we still the most livable city, mayor?) When we have to check in to hotels for a bath on wash rate may untag ireimburse nimo (Hope you would reimburse it). When we have to curse but still no water was supplied in our street in our subdivision. What are your plans?” Ramboanga said.
Ramboanga suggested to get rid the city’s tourism slogan ‘Davao Life is Here,’ saying the city is no longer ‘livable’ after the mayor assumed his position as the local chief executive.
In his reply, Duterte, who felt disrespected, clapped back and called the netizen ‘stupid.’
“Ingon ana gyud ka kabulok nga tanaw nimo nagka problema ug tubig diha tungod sa duha ka bulan nako nganilingkod kong mayor? Ingon ana gyudka kabulok nga tan aw nimo wala nakoni ginapangutana sa DCWD ug ApoAgua? Maayong adlaw maam. Godbless you (Are you that stupid to think that problem of lack of water happened in two months that I assumed office as mayor? Are you that stupid to think that I DID NOT ASK DCWD and Apo Agua),” he said.
Duterte said he did not expect Ramboanga to apologize.
“Actually, wala nako ni gina-expect ni pero nangayo sya og pasaylo. Pero actually, dili gyud sya necessary (I did not expect this but she asked for apology. But it’s not really necessary). Actually, I will take all the blame, and between you and me, Ms. Tiara, I am profoundly sorry if I caused you any form of harm or pain... I am genuinely sorry for what I did,” he said.
In an advisory dated September 16, the Davao City Water District reported some electrical wirings were damaged and needed replacement, causing the disruption in the operation of some facilities.