DAVAO CITY – Thousands of people gathered here on January 28 to express support for the Duterte family and oppose the People’s Initiative (PI) to amend the Constitution.
PEOPLE attend a peace rally at San Pedro Square in Davao City on Sunday evening, January 28, opposing People’s Initiative to amend the Constitution. (Keith Bacongco)
Speaking before thousands of leaders and Duterte supporters during the Hakbang ng Maisug Leaders Forum in a hotel here on January 28, Victor Rodriguez, former executive secretary of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., said he is one with the people of Davao and Filipinos in opposing PI.
“Nakalagay doon sa isang post na aking nabasa, ang Davao City at ang Davaoenos (In one post that I read from social media, it was stated that Davao City and its people) are not for sale. For this reason, I am here because your friend, Vic Rodriguez, is not for sale!” he said.
Rodriguez said no similar initiative is taking place elsewhere in the country. He added that this city was the first to start the leaders’ forum and the prayer rally aimed at people trying to modify the Constitution through the PI.
“Andito ako dahil ako ay para sa Pilipino. Huwag tayong papasilaw sa kaonting salapi or malaking salapi kapalit ng ating pirma (I'm here because I’m for the Filipino people. Let's not be swayed by a small or large sum of money in exchange for our signatures),” Rodriguez said.
“It is difficult to stay silent when our Constitution is at stake. Our signatures are not for sale. Our person, character, and integrity are not all for sale. I am your ally, and I stand together with you,” he added.
Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, a former House Speaker, said in an interview on the sidelines of the Hakbang ng Maisug that his commitment has been to advocate for an independent Mindanao.
Once a vocal critic of Vice President Sara Duterte, Alvarez expressed support for all her endeavors, citing their alignment in shared ideals, particularly in initiatives aimed at opposing constitutional change.
“Tinanong ako kung susuporta ba ako kay (I was asked if I would support) VP Inday Sara, definitely yes, because she is from Mindanao, and no matter what happens, her heart is still Mindanaon,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez said that he is for change rather than for PI. He added that he and others who support his cause for Mindanao’s independence intend to travel across the primary southern islands of the Philippines to collect signatures of endorsement.
Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go underscored that he and his fellow senators are united in opposing the PI to amend the Constitution and its implications for Filipinos and democracy. He said it is crucial to protect the Constitution.
Former actress now Citizens Coalition for Transformation Movement convenor Vivian Velez said they have been requesting former President Rodrigo R. Duterte to hold a leaders’ forum for their guidance.
“We trust him (FPRRD) so much, his leadership, that’s why we told him kailangan ng mga leaders ng guidance on what we are going to do with the crisis we are all going through under the current administration,” Velez said.
A netizen, Redentor Briones, a dean from a university in Butuan City, attended the Maisug Leaders’ Forum and marched with his colleagues on Magallanes St. before the candlelight prayer rally.
Briones said they traveled from Butuan City to attend the forum and join the rally. He added that they wanted to tell the world, especially the current administration, that no amount can buy Filipinos’ signature, self-respect, and freedom.