Photos by Ryan Leagogo/INQUIRER.net
Amidst Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s request to stop Saturday’s gathering, his supporters staged a protest dubbed “The People’s Call for the People’s President”at the Quirino Grandstand, Manila hoping that their presidential bet would change his mind.
The rally formerly dubbed as ““Million March: Run Duterte Run” was initially scheduled in the afternoon of Sept. 15 at the Quirino Grandstand but was moved to 2 p.m. of Sept. 26 at the Burnham Gardens in front of Quirino Grandstand.
READ: Duterte: I’m not running, but if I were the president…
On the Facebook page “Rodrigo Duterte Thumbs-Up Fever 2016,” would-be participants of the rally were asked to tie red and blue ribbons bonded by yellow string in cars, and bring candles for the candle lighting ceremony.
Durterte pleads supporters
Last Monday, Duterte pleaded his supporters to stop Saturday’s protest. “They request for me to run for president. I would like you to do me a favor this time. Pakisabi lang sa lahat huwag nilang gawin sana iyan kasi it would complicate matters. Baka sabihin ng tao atras-abante ako (Please tell the people not to do the protest because it would complicate matters. They might say I don’t have a firm stand),” Duterte said in a press conference.
Duterte’s supporters still have hopes the Davao City mayor will listen to the “clamor” of the public through the protest.
Champions for Rody Duterte for President Movement spokesperson Paula Alvarez said, “Why doesn’t he want to run daw ba? What stops Duterte?”
In the Social Weather Stations survey last June, Duterte ranked fourth, just one percentage point behind former Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, who got 21 percent.
On September 7, Duterte told reporters in a press conference that he will not run for presidency, and that he will retire from public life in 2016. “I believe it’s no longer my time. I will retire after my term,” he was quoted as saying.
Furthermore, Duterte in the ASIA CEO Forum in Makati last June said he never wanted to be a president and that his family does not want him to run as well.
READ: Duterte offered as Binay’s VP—Jinggoy Estrada
Duterte had also been reported to be one of the choices for Binay’s running mate in the 2016 elections. Jodee A. Agoncillo/RAM
