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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider Former President Duterte backs Cha-cha as long as PBBM's term is not extended

Former President Duterte backs Cha-cha as long as PBBM's term is not extended

Published Feb 26, 2024 01:38 pm

CEBU CITY – An afternoon downpour did not stop thousands of people from joining a prayer rally attended by former President Rodrigo R. Duterte at the South Road Properties here on Sunday, February 25.

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FORMER President Rodrigo R. Duterte speaks during a rally at the South Road Properties in Cebu City on Sunday, February 25. (Calvin D. Cordova)

The prayer rally was held to oppose the People’s Initiative to amend the Constitution.

Tarpaulins marked with “Cebu City is not for sale” and “Our country is not for sale” were displayed in the venue in response to allegations that some individuals were paid to sign petitions for PI.

The rally started past 7 p.m. and ended shortly before midnight.

Duterte was the last to speak.

In his speech, Duterte emphasized that he would support moves to amend the Constitution as long as it will not extend the term of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

“I will support Charter change for as long as there is no vested interest. We should be comfortable with six years, one term. Let us stick to that,” said Duterte.

The former President emphasized he has no beef with Marcos.

“Wa ko’y problema ni Presidente (I have no problem with the President),” Duterte said.

“Ako okay nako, si Marcos karon medyo maganda. Suportahan ko ‘yung Cha-cha. Wala pa naman akong nakita ngayon na big error, big mistake. Wala pa. Wala naman akong nakita maybe ‘yung nasa baba pero sa kanya wala akong akong nabalitaan so I continue to support him (I’m okay with Marcos. So far, it’s looking good. I will support the Cha-cha. I have not seen big error, big mistake, none yet. I have not seen anything maybe those below but with him, I’ve not heard anything so I continue to support him),” Duterte added.

Duterte’s son, Davao Mayor Sebastian Duterte, was more combative in his speech and slammed House Speaker Martin R. Romualdez.

“Isog ka lang kay Speaker ka run. Speaker lang ka kay tungod ang ig agaw nimo Presidente. Mao na! (You are just brave because you are the Speaker. You are the Speaker because the President is your cousin. That’s why!)” said the younger Duterte.

At one point in his speech, the Davao Mayor challenged Romualdez to a fistfight. He alleged that Romualdez is seeking a higher position, the reason why he is allegedly initiating moves to change the Constitution.

Among those who spoke during the rally were former Executive Secretary Vic Rodriguez, former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Mayor Michael Rama here, and Atty. Glen Chong.

Television host Willie Revillame entertained the crowd in the event organized by the Cebu Coalition for Transparency, Accountability, Peace, and Security.

Atty. Irene Caballes, lead convenor of the coalition, at least 30,000 people attended the rally. Members of various sectors from Bohol, Leyte, Davao, and Cagayan de Oro attended the event.

Rama and Councilor Dondon Hontiveros here were the only local executives who joined the rally.

Rama said he attended the rally as he considers the Dutertes as his friends. He also called on the country’s leaders to unite for the betterment of the people.

“We don’t need another EDSA…because when we can see things not going well, it will always be the people complaining,” Rama said. “When the welfare of the people will be desecrated, trampled upon, what’s going to happen?”

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