Too early for politics? Solons question prayer rallies attended by Duterte
MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers from the House of Representatives have asked why prayer rallies where former president Rodrigo Duterte participates have become politically charged, noting that it is still too early to play politics for the 2025 polls.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega said he does not understand the concept of a prayer rally turning into a different kind of event, as the former president has constantly used them to attack the administration.
Ortega said this after being asked to react to Duterte’s statements at a prayer rally on Tuesday in support of Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy, who is facing contempt orders from the House and the Senate.
“For me, I really don’t understand the concept of the prayer rally because it’s becoming a different kind of rally. Sometimes it’s mellow, sometimes the tirades get more intense, but the personalities who are there should be the personalities who are first and foremost involved in helping the government fix our problems,” Ortega said.
“They should not add to the political tension, but for me, they should also — of course, we do not have a monopoly of love of country, we all love our country — but there are bigger problems than starting issues and stirring the pot with political problems, political accusations, things that should not be said onstage which will only agitate the public,” he added.
Instead of participating in these rallies, Ortega urged rally participants to help President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and refrain from engaging in politics — which the lawmaker deemed to be “too early” to be a topic.
“So I encourage them to help our government, help President Bongbong Marcos because this is too early for politics. This is too early,” he noted.
Aklan 2nd District Rep. Teodorico Haresco also urged personalities in the rally to refrain from using God’s name in setting up prayer rallies in the guise of personal or political objectives.
“I hope the political rallies, we set these in accordance with the Comelec (Commission on Elections) period only, stage rallies later on and refrain from using God’s name for whatever personal or political objectives,” Haresco said.
The Aklan lawmaker also warned that politicians who oppose a sitting President during the midterms usually lose popularity.
“So all the attacks against a President during his or her midterm — the first three years of his or her term — lose popularity and in terms of politics. So as Assistant Majority Floor Leader Ortega said, it’s too early: the elections are in 2025, but now they are staging rallies,” Haresco explained.
“If we go back to the EDSA revolution, it’s how it started (through prayer rallies). So it’s an antique page, they cut and paste and try to put it this time when social media is accessible. But it does not rhyme, it’s a contradiction in terms of personality,” he added.
Former President Duterte, his daughter incumbent Vice President Sara Duterte, and known allies Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Bong Go were seen at the rally in Liwasang Bonifacio for Quiboloy.
The Vice President previously called hearings versus Quiboloy a trial by publicity, saying that the pastor should have his day in court. During her attendance at the prayer rally, the younger Duterte also told SMNI in an ambush interview that the hearings were only meant to destroy Quiboloy’s reputation.
READ: VP Sara attends pro-Quiboloy rally, slams those ‘oppressing’ SMNI
However, during his speech, Rodrigo Duterte mentioned some of the administration’s policies that he opposed, like its push for amendments to the 1987 Constitution’s economic provisions.
Quiboloy no show
Quiboloy was cited for contempt on Tuesday by the House committee on legislative franchises after he refused to attend proceedings on issues involving Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).
SMNI’s ownership is being questioned, because solons believe Quiboloy is involved in the network’s management.
The House initially probed SMNI after Laban Kasama ang Bayan host Jeffrey Celiz wrongly claimed that Romualdez spent P1.8 billion on trips in 2023.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco clarified that the total travel cost for all House members and their staff from January 2023 to October 2023 was only P39.6 million.
READ: SMNI will get chance to answer issues as it faces losing franchise – House rep
Eventually, hearings on the network revealed possible violations of its franchise.
