Duterte's long-time critic, Prospero Nograles, says sorry
RODRIGO AND PROSPERO. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte listens as former House Speaker Prospero Nograles expresses his support for the President during the birthday celebration of the latter's son Davao City First District Representative Karlo Nograles at the Mergrande Ocean Resort in Davao City on September 2, 2017. Photo by Joey Dalumpines/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO
DAVAO CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) – Former House Speaker Prospero Nograles apologized to his enemy for decades, President Rodrigo Duterte, for their past "heartaches."
"I apologize publicly (for) whatever heartaches we have had," Nograles told Duterte during his son Davao City 1st District Karlo Alexei Nograles' birthday on Saturday, September 2.
In an interview with reporters around midnight on Sunday, September 3, Duterte said of Nograles' apology, 'Hindi naman kailangan 'yan." (That is not really needed.)
Duterte said Nograles, his political opponent, eventually supported him "because it was for the best interests of Davao."
Prior to his apology, Nograles also said his family will support Duterte, being the first from Mindanao to become Philippine president.
"We will defend (him) and go against all his enemies," he said. "You have my admiration and respect."
Nograles, also known as "Boy" among his constitutents here, attempted so many times to defeat the Dutertes.
In the 2010 elections, then House Speaker Nograles ran for mayor against Duterte's daughter, Sara.
Nograles lost. – Rappler.com
