Chants of ‘Duterte, Cayetano’ kick off PDP-Laban rally in Tondo

Davao City mayor and presidential aspirant Rodrigo Duterte speaks during the proclamation rally at the Moriones Plaza in  Tondo, Manila. MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

LOUD chants of “Duterte, Cayetano” formally opened the proclamation rally of presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte and his running mate Alan Peter Cayetano in Tondo, Manila on Tuesday.

Thousands of supporters packed the intersection of Morga and Zamora streets near the Sto. Niño Church.

Amid cheers and applause from  the crowd, Cayetano arrived at 6:45 p.m.

Duterte is already in the area and is expected to appear before his supporters after Cayetano’s speech.

Prominent personalities present include PDP-Laban President Aquilino Pimentel III and senatorial  candidates Rafael Alunan, lawyer Levito Baligod among others.

Tondo was filled with a festive atmosphere as prominent musicians performed before the actual proclamation was held.

But why did the Duterte-Cayetano choose Tondo as their proclamation rally?

Peter Laviña, Duterte’s spokesman and head of media group, said Tondo symbolizes the plight of many Filipinos from Visayas and Mindanao, seeking for a better life.

“This is where we aim to start a new beginning for our country and our people,” Laviña said.

The Duterte-Cayetano tandem is running under a platform of fighting criminality, illegal drugs and corruption.

The duo is also pushing for a federal form of government.

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