Duterte supporters, vendors sleep outdoors for thanksgiving event
DAVAO CITY — A group of vendors from Tagum City arrived here on Friday evening to attend the thanksgiving event for president-elect Rodrigo Duterte, choosing to sleep under the stars than risk traveling the next day alongside hundreds of thousands of expected attendees.
Bebeng Inio, who came here with her husband and neighbors, said they will be sleeping in the open field of the Davao Crocodile Park until it opens its gates to the public on Saturday.
“Manuod kami dyan kay President Duterte,” Inio told INQUIRER.net, before adding that they also plan to sell food like fish crackers to be able to bring home money.
(We’re going to watch President Duterte.)
Inio, who sells “chichirya” or junk food at bus terminals, said she has been a vendor for 15 years.
Asked what they expect of Duterte, who they called their “favorite” candidate during the May elections, she said they hope that he will be able to solve the problem of drugs.
Inio sheepishly smiled as she gave her message to the tough-talking incoming president: “Sana lahat ng mga problema sa aming lugar, sa national (masolusyunan). Lahat lahat po.”
(We hope all of the problems in our place, in the national will be solved. Everything.)
She said each of them had to spend P60 for the bus ride from Tagum to Davao City. In addition to seeing the president-elect, they expect to earn P1,000 each at the most, if they will be allowed to sell their goods at the concert.
The Duterte camp will stage on Saturday a grand victory party, which will feature local acts such as Vice Ganda, Ahron Villaflor, Carlos Agassi, Gary Vergara, Andrew E., Paolo Snatos, Lord Dulat, Kimmy Bondoc, Bernardo Bernardo, and Beverly Salvero. Hosting the event are Kat De Santos, Bayani Agbayani and Arnel Ignacio.
Duterte is also expected to give a speech in the evening. The event will start at 1pm and end at 1am.
Authorities will deploy 2,000 policemen to secure the venue. The public has been asked to use transparent bags and not to bring umbrellas.
