Marcos, ex-Pres. Duterte urged to reconcile, jointly lead prayer rally

MANILA, Philippines — An alliance of religious groups, former government officials, and retired uniformed personnel on Tuesday called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and former President Rodrigo Duterte to reconcile and lead a nationwide prayer gathering for peace and unity.

Greco Belgico, the former head of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission during the Duterte administration and current leader of the “Covenant for the Nation,” said that the initiative aims to convey a message of “reconciliation and humble unity” to the public.

READ: Marcos shoots back: Ex-president Duterte takes fentanyl

“Sa prayer gathering pong ito, inaasahan din po namin na magkaroon ng pagkakataong makapagusap ng maayos at ang mga bagay na kailangan talakayin na may kinalaman sa ating bayan na pareho nilang ine-espouse,” said Belgico.

(At this prayer gathering, we also expect to have the opportunity to have a proper conversation and discuss matters related to our nation that they both espouse.)

“But more importantly, ang pinakamahalagang pangyari ngayon ay magkaroon ng pagpapakumbabaan at pagaayos upang tahakin ang future ng ating bayan,” he added.

(But more importantly, the most significant event now is to have humility and reconciliation to pave the way for the future of our nation.)

According to Belgico, the alliance has already sent a letter addressed to both Marcos and Duterte “appealing for sobriety and reconciliation” amid “deep concerns about the current political situation in our beloved nation.”

“President Rodrigo Duterte sent a positive response to the message and letter that we sent, ang dating sa’min ng response niya ay okay siya to the idea of having a prayer gathering with President Bongbong Marcos to symbolize na pwede magkaayos, pwede magusap, magpapakilala,” said Belgico.

(President Rodrigo Duterte sent a positive response to the message and letter that we sent. His response indicated that he is okay with the idea of having a prayer gathering with President Bongbong Marcos to symbolize that reconciliation and dialogue are possible, and to introduce one another.)

Marcos, on the other hand, has yet to respond to the said letter.

However, Belgico was certain the Office of the President had already received the said letter, adding that he had even talked with some members of the Marcos family to relay the letter to the President.

“Last week, we’ve spoken and sent messages to some members of his family, pinakiusapan na kung maaari ipaabot ng personal ang mensahe na ito … they’ve responded positively na ipaabot kay Marcos,” he said.

(Last week, we spoke and sent messages to some members of his family, requesting if it would be possible to personally convey this message… They responded positively and agreed to relay it to Marcos.)

Apart from Belgico, the letter was signed by Bishop Dr. Grepor Butch Belgica, M.DIV, D. Min.; Bishop Reuben Abante; Chairman Greco Belgica, MNSA; Atty. Eduardo Bringas, CDS; Col/Atty. Benedicto Jose, Ret.; BGen. Carlos Quita, Ret.; and retired PBGen/Chairman Atty. Fortunato Guerrero.

Major religious groups have committed to join the said gathering, including various Christian and Catholic groups, Iglesia ni Christo, and even the Kingdom of Jesus Christ led by alleged Pastor Apollo Quiboloy.

No final date has been set for the prayer rally, but Belgica said the alliance is aiming to hold the gathering before Holy Week and as soon as Marcos responds.

“Bago mag-Mahal na Araw ay magandang magawa ang prayer rally so ‘yon ang aming target at iniintay na lang po ang Pangulong Marcos,” said Belgico.

(Before Holy Week, it would be good to organize a prayer rally, so that is our target and we are just waiting for President Marcos to confirm.)

If Marcos fails to respond, Belgico said the alliance would still push through with the prayer rally.

Marcos and Duterte have been embroiled in a feud since the latter recently accused the President of being on the government’s illegal drugs watchlist, which the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency later denied.

READ: VP Sara Duterte says relationship with Marcos remains ‘okay’

The President, for his part, shot back — attributing Duterte’s accusation to his alleged fentanyl use.