MANILA, Philippines — Besides the inclement weather, former President Rodrigo Duterte’s planned prayer rally in Tacloban was also not scheduled properly, according to TINGOG Partylist Rep. Jude Acidre on Wednesday.
Duterte was scheduled to have a rally in Tacloban, but it was canceled due to the effects of Typhoon Aghon (international name: Ewiniar). However, the former president alleged that there was heavy equipment stationed at the venue as part of “the Marcos administration’s policy of stifling peaceful dissent.”
READ: Duterte slams ‘deliberate’ efforts to stop ‘Maisug’ rally in Tacloban
According to Acidre, however, there was merely a conflict in the venue’s scheduling, the Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Plaza.
“Unfortunately, as early as May 10, mayroon na pong naka-book na schedule, mayroon na pong event. Ito nga yung roadshow na nagbebenta ng heavy equipment,” Acidre said in the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing.
(Unfortunately, as early as May 10, there is already a scheduled event. It was a roadshow selling heavy equipment.)
Acidre explained that after looking into the incident, they found that Duterte’s party only tried to schedule an event at the venue on May 24.
Should Duterte’s allies want to schedule another event, Acidre said it would be up to local leaders but reiterated that the rally should remain respectful.