Davaoeños stage rally, host viewing party for Duterte inauguration

Several militant groups from all over Mindanao gathered at Rizal Park in Davao City to throw their support behind President Rodrigo Duterte. ARIES JOSEPH HEGINA/INQUIRER.net

DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Residents of this city staged several events to mark the inauguration of their longtime mayor as the 16th President of the country on Thursday.

At the Rizal Park near the City Hall, several militant groups staged a rally to convey their support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s pro-people pronouncements.

READ: Duterte takes oath as PH’s 16th President

The groups supported the move of the President to engage the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in another round of peace talks.

Meanwhile, in the “Mallengke” market in Bangkerohan, a viewing party was set up for residents who want to watch Duterte’s inauguration on the big screen.

The owner of the Mallengke even distributed water and snacks for residents who gathered in the market to watch the inauguration live.

Those who watched the inauguration in the Mallengke cheered and clapped every time the name of the President was mentioned or his face was shown on television.

READ: FULL TEXT: President Rodrigo Duterte inauguration speech

Davao City residents gathered at “Mallengke” market to watch the inauguration of President Rodrigo Duterte through a broadcast stream. ARIES JOSEPH HEGINA

But one resident here, 50-year-old Lydia Rufino, became emotional when Freddie Aguilar sang “Para sa Tunay na Pagbabago.”

Rufino said that she shed tears because the said song was being played during Duterte’s campaign sorties and on the weekly television show “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa.”

“Naiyak ako kasi marami naman siyang [Duterte] nagawa para sa amin dito sa Davao (I cried because Duterte has done so much here in Davao),” Rufino said.

The resident said that since Duterte is now the father of the country, she just wishes that he would be able to deliver on his promises.

“Tuparin lang niya lahat ng sinasabi niya, yung mga pinangako niya sa Pilipinas para maging masaya na ang buong bansa kasi ang Davao maganda na. Nagdadasal ako na sana tulungan siya ng Panginoong Diyos,” Rufino added.

(I just wish that he would fulfill his promises to the Philippines so the whole country will be merry because Davao is already good on its own.)

Other residents here endured the heat as they settled at Quezon Park as they watched the inauguration on a big LCD screen.

Duterte, the first Mindanaoan president of the republic, served as this city mayor for 22 years. His daughter Sara took his place as the local chief executive of the city.  RAM

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