Duterte expected to attend PDP-Laban rally in Cebu Thursday night

Cebu map

CEBU CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to attend the campaign sortie of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban (PDP-Laban) candidates in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on Thursday evening, March 31.

The vote-rich province of Cebu, which has a voting population of 3.2 million, was the first of about 20 localities that President Duterte may visit to rally support for his political allies.

The rally in Lapu-Lapu City will be held at a vacant lot near the foot of the old Mactan-Cebu bridge.

There are strict protocols implemented for officials and other people who will be within the cordoned area with the President. All of them underwent swab tests two days ago.

At the venue, another rapid antigen test is also conducted for those who will be near the President.

The crowd in the rally had a separate entry point as they were not tested for COVID-19. The city organizers are also expecting heavy traffic near the foot of the old Mactan bridge because of the event.

According to Lapu-Lapu City public information officer Mark Bautista, around 60,000 to 70,000 people are expected to attend the rally.

Among those who confirmed to attend the rally were former Public Works secretary Mark Villar, actor Robin Padilla, Astra Pimentel, broadcaster Rey Langit, Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, former chief legal adviser Salvador Panelo, and former Anti corruption chair Greco Belgica.

Also invited to the event organized by Lapu-Lapu Mayor Chan were Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, Cordova Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho, and Consolacion mayoral candidate Teresa Alegado, among other local officials.

Prior to attending the rally, Duterte attended the meeting of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict at the JPark resort also in Lapu-Lapu City.

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