In Cebu, show of unity signals hope in Duterte

CEBU CITY—An office at the Court of Appeals was a picture of “national unity” on Thursday.

Five supporters of President  Duterte treated supporters of defeated presidential candidates Mar Roxas and Miriam Defensor-Santiago to a meal to celebrate the inauguration of the country’s first President from Mindanao.

The small group had roasted pig belly, tuna belly, roasted chicken, red rice and mung beans.

Haide Acuña, court attorney, said the organizers of the small party wanted the food to hew closely to that prepared for Duterte’s inaugural.

Duterte supporters in her office pitched in to foot the P1,085 bill for the food.

“Those who have  bigger salaries gave more,” she said. “Those with smaller salaries gave less or none at all,” she added.

Acuña said in jest that supporters of Roxas and Santiago were not asked to contribute to the kitty because “they are part of the constituency.”

The group ate as they watched the live telecast of Duterte’s inaugural speech, celebrating and expressing hope.

“It is like a brand-new love affair,” said Acuña.

She said she got nervous when Duterte went impromptu near the end of his speech and was relieved that he did not  curse.

Part of the speech delivered  in Cebuano, said Acuña, felt like people from the Visayas and Mindanao “have been invited to the dinner table of national governance.”

It’s “pride of place,” she said.

In Western Visayas, people also celebrated the first day in office of President Duterte, releasing doves, celebrating Mass, joining fun runs and rallies.

In Iloilo City, supporters of peace talks between the Duterte administration and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines released 150 doves into the air to symbolize the people’s yearning for peace.

In the capital town of Kalibo in Aklan, at least 3,000 people joined a rally to support Duterte at Pastrana Park.

At least 2,000 residents of Capiz, home province of Duterte’s closest rival in the presidential race,  Roxas, joined a similar rally at the Roxas City Bandstand and presented what they thought should be the Duterte administration’s agenda in its first 100 days.

In Negros Occidental, a group of urban poor residents held a unity walk for peace and change in support of Duterte in Bacolod City on Thursday.