Fresh from attending the “Bagong Pilipinas” rally, Vice President Sara Duterte flew straight to hometown of Davao City to be with her family and Davaoeños in the prayer rally held on Sunday, Jan. 28, to oppose a signature drive for a People’s Initiative (PI) to amend the Constitution.
Vice President Sara Duterte delivers her speech during the prayer rally held in Davao City on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024. (Screenshot from Rodrigo Duterte Facebook page)
In a short message during the program held at San Pedro Square in Davao City, the official thanked Davaoeños for supporting her work as Vice President and Department of Education (DepEd) secretary amid the unpredictable politics of the country.
The Vice President also thanked them for supporting her family.
“Malaki ang utang na loob namin sa inyo mga kababayan namin sa pagkakataon na ibinibigay ninyo sa amin na makapaglingkod sa ating pamahalaan at sa anim na taon na suporta ninyo sa administrasyon ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte (We owe you a lot our fellowmen for giving us the chance to serve the government and for the six years you supported the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte),” she said in an audience that included her father and brothers Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte and Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte.
“Malaki ang aking pasasalamat dahil sa anumang pangyayari sa politika at sa aking buhay-pulitika andiyan pa rin kayo sa aking likuran at nananatiling malakas at matatag pa rin ang inyong suporta sa akin. Maraming, maraming salamat (I am very thankful because whatever happens in politics and in my political life, you are still there behind me and your support remains strong and firm. Thank you very much),” she added.
Senator Imee Marcos, the President’s sister, Senator Bong Go, former Palace spokesperson Harry Roque, and some former Cabinet officials attended the rally that was simultaneously held as the “Bagong Pilipinas” kickoff rally at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
The Vice President came straight from the “Bagong Pilipinas” rally, where she gave a short message to express the Department of Education’s (DepEd) support for the Marcos administration’s eight-point socioeconomic agenda.
She also spent some time with DepEd personnel and teachers.
In an earlier statement, Duterte maintained her opposition to changing the Constitution.
“Mahalagang makita at maintindihan natin ang panganib na nakaamba sa atin oras na tuluyan nating isinuko ang ating Saligang Batas sa kamay ng mga taong may personal at politikal na interes (It is important to see and understand the dangers that we face once we allow our Constitution to be in the hands of those with personal and political interests),” she said.
The prayer rally was held against a PI drive gathering signatures to amend the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which was born after former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and his family were thrown from power.
The PI initiative is reportedly being spearheaded by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Marcos’ cousin.
However, critics warn that changing the Constitution could pave the way for Marcos to get another six-year term, which is currently prohibited.
This would potentially put him on a collision course with the younger Duterte, who many believe would seek the presidency in 2028.