RODRIGO DUTERTE
INQUIRER PHOTO/RAFFY LERMA
CEBU CITY, Philippines —At least 3,000 people gathered on the soccer field of the University of the Philippines Cebu in Barangay Lahug here on Sunday afternoon to show their support for the possible presidential candidacy of Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in 2016.
The crowd started converging on the UP Cebu ground at 1 p.m. for the rally dubbed as “Rock for Federalism” where Manila-based singers such as Luke Mijares, Thor Dulay, Paolo Santos and Jimmy Bondoc were among those set to perform.
Paul Melendez, provincial information officer of the Duterte for President Movement, said they expected the number to swell since the nine-hour event was scheduled to end at 10 p.m.
He said the event was “worth the wait” after Duterte announced a day ago that his candidacy for president under the political party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), was on the table, meaning in serious negotiations.
Duterte did not file his candidacy on Oct. 16, 2015, the deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy for president in the 2016 elections. But under election rules, the PDP Laban has until December 10 to tap Duterte as a substitute for its withdrawn presidential candidate Martin Diño.
For Melendez, it was as if Duterte had 100% percent confirmed that he was running for president. “It is worth the wait. Nawagtang ang among mga worries nga dili siya modagan (Our worries that he would not run are now gone),” he said.
Melendez said the event was called “Rock for Federalism” because it also served as a venue to inform the people about federalism, which has become the main platform of Duterte.
There was a booth where people could sign up and become a volunteer in the campaign for a federal form of government.
When the Philippine Daily Inquirer checked the booth, several people were waiting for their turn to sign up.
One of them was Yolanda Domine, 50, who said she was recruited by a barangay official to attend the event. She was also issued an identification card that bore the face of Sen. Allan Cayetano, a vice presidential candidate. The card identified Domine as a volunteer for Cayetano.
There were four big empty 50-gallon water bottles near the entrance for the “Peso sa Pagbabago” campaign.
As of 4 p.m., one remained empty while the rest had few coins.
Senator Cayetano was in the venue but there was no immediate confirmation that Duterte would attend the event.
As of 4:27 p.m., Duterte had not showed up.
Melendez said they were still “hopeful” he would come since he had an engagement in Iloilo.
But two local politicians brought with them supporters in the venue.
At least 300 supporters identified with the group of Board member Arleigh Sitoy, a candidate for mayor of Cordova were there.
Some of those who were at the venue wore shirts that had the face of Duterte printed in front. Others wore shirts with printed words “Duterte Kami”, “Duterte Supporters,” and “Duterte Volunteer.”
Mark Vincent Castro, 17, travelled from Minglanilla town, about 17 kilometers south of here, went to UP Cebu to show their support for Duterte even if he could not vote yet.
Lucia Sumagang, 68, of Barangay Bangbang in Cordova town, carried a small flag with the printed words, “Cordova for Duterte.”
Sumagang said she would vote for Duterte because of his hard stance against illegal drugs and criminality in Davao City. SFM