Cebu vote 2019: PDP sees 80,000 crowd at rally on Sunday

CEBU, Philippines — An estimated 80,000 people are expected to gather at the Plaza Independencia on Sunday as President Rodrigo Duterte leads the campaign sortie of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan.

“Including Cebu Province, we are expecting about 60,000 to 80,000. Last time, we had 60,000, it will be substantially more no… well, maybe,” said Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia, one of the organizers of the event.

Garcia said the President will endorse all of the party’s senatorial candidates, which include, among others, former Special Assistant to the President Bong Go and former PNP chief Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa.

“That’s a very big impact sa local impact in Cebu City and Cebu Province kay the endorsement of the president carries a lot of weight considering that he is a very popular president.I would say 80 percent of the Duterte supporters will automatically support and vote his chosen candidates locally,” Garcia told The FREEMAN.

Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, standard bearer of the local PDP-Laban in Cebu City, will lead the gathering with Third District Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia expected to attend.

Garcia said PDP-Laban candidates in Cebu City and Cebu Province will help gather the 80,000 people at Plaza Independencia.

It remains to be seen what time Duterte will arrive, but Garcia said activities at the Plaza will start at 1 p.m.

“We will start at 1 p.m. nga ginagmay nga program. Maybe late afternoon moabot. We will just wait for him and he (Duterte) will have a speech (We will start the program at 1 p.m. and wait for the president to arrive so he can give a speech. He may arrive late afternoon),” Garcia said.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña has no problems approving the application to use the Plaza Independencia, despite the activity being organized by political rivals here.

He said he would even reach out to Duterte to invite him to a testimonial dinner on February 24. The dinner is in line with the city’s Charter Day celebration.

“If I can reach him (Duterte), I would,” he told The FREEMAN.

It will be during the testimonial dinner that the city will award outstanding individuals and institutions. (FREEMAN)