Vice President Sara Duterte (Arnold Quizol/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Lanao del Norte 1st district Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo has a theory as to why Vice President Sara Duterte suddenly appeared in the pro-Apollo Quiboloy prayer rally in Manila on Tuesday, March 12. 

Dimaporo, chairman of the House Committee on Muslim Affairs, was asked for his thoughts on the Vice President's participation in a prayer rally during a press conference Wednesday, March 13. 

“From what I heard and saw, VP Sara was among the crowd talking to the people. We don't really know what her purpose is there,” Dimaporo said. 

“I would want to believe that her purpose is to at least neutralize the former president," he said, referring to former president Rodrigo Duterte. The latter is the Vice President's father. 

"Na huwag naman masyadong masipag 'yung banat kay (It's to hopefully temper the tirades against) President Bongbong Marcos because she is still his Cabinet secretary for education,” explained the solon from Mindanao. 

“I hope that being his daughter, our former president, president Duterte will somewhat be, in a way, parang (somewhat) tapered down or like dialogue can open, because this hasn't helped anybody. This is the holy month of Ramadan,” Dimaporo said. 

ALSO READ:

https://mb.com.ph/2024/3/13/vp-duterte-wants-fair-trial-for-quiboloy-house-panel-chair-in-smni-probe-responds#google_vignette

Joined by his senator-allies, the elder Duterte attended the rally wherein he resumed his criticisms against President Marcos. He did so while Marcos was on a working visit to Germany. 

The former president considers Quiboloy--the self-proclaimed "Appointed Son of God" and leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) church--as his spiritual adviser. 

Dimaporo believes that the rally it won't impact the popularity of the incumbent Chief Executive. 

“At the end of the day, I strongly believe the majority of the Filipino people will rally with our President, President Bongbong Marcos, because he is doing the right thing,” he said.

The elder Duterte chairs erstwhile ruling party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).