DAVAO CITY — Presidential aspirant Rodrigo Duterte has called the Romualdo clan of Camiguin “feudal lords,” for allegedly making it difficult for him and his political supporters to hold a rally in that island province.
Speaking before hundreds gathered at the Mambajo Freedom Park on Wednesday, Duterte said the Romualdo clan has lorded it over Camiguin for so long.
“And you know when that happens, the feudal lords begin to think they own the place and the people,” he said.
He said even his rally was subjected to the kind of “warlordism” that has plagued the province.
“They gave us a hard time when we applied for a permit. They cut our electrical connection,” he said.
“Baho na nga style (That style stinks),” he added.
Even with the threats and intimidation, more than a thousand people still showed up at the afternoon rally.
The Duterte camp said it was earlier denied permit to use the town plaza stage.
The Duterte camp also complained that the Romualdos ordered the provider of the sound system to cancel its booking for the rally.
Duterte reminded the Romualdos that the right of citizens to hold political rallies has always been protected by the 1987 Constitution.
“The people need to hear the candidates so that they can make the right choice,” he said.
Duterte said he himself has not been requiring permits for rallies in Davao City and would only ask organizers to inform the police on the exact schedule so the area could be secured.
Duterte also hit the Romualdos for their politics of convenience, saying they have been changing parties through the years depending on the person in power.
The Romualdos are now members of the Liberal Party.
Duterte called on residents in Camiguin to bring down the Romualdos from power.
He said the time has come for the people to reject feudalism and embrace real change. SFM
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