Pro-Duterte groups hold green rally

DAVAO CITY, Philippines  – At least 10,000 people clad in green showed up late Friday afternoon at the Rizal Park here to express support for Mayor Sara Duterte, who earlier took flak for punching a court sheriff over a demolition row in this southern metropolis.

Green is the favorite color of Duterte, who went on an eight-day leave to give way to an impartial investigation into the incident.

Friday’s rally was organized by different private sector groups as well as by the business community in the city, which was also participated in by barangay officials and their constituents.

Green ribbons were also tied to cars and other vehicles as well as in houses and stores and shops around the city.

Members of the Sheriff Association of the Philippines-Makati chapter, meanwhile, wore black in sympathy to Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 16 sheriff Abe Andres, who took a beating from the mayor for refusing to heed her request for a two-hour delay in the eviction of informal settlers in Barangay Soliman, Agdao district here.

The mayor’s father, Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, lashed at his daughter’s critics for not being able to understand the circumstances behind the incident.

The mayor asked Andres to delay the demolition by two hours just so she could be present to avert any untoward or violent incident.

Meanwhile, the city government of Mati is preparing to donate P100,000 worth of school supplies to the flood victims of Davao City.

Mati City Mayor Michelle Rabat said they would have donated a bigger amount had they enough money.

Rabat said that although they have city status, their internal revenue allotment is still that of a town, not a city.

Nevertheless, Rabat said it’s not the money that counts but the thought and the solidarity they are showing to Dabawenyos as neighbors, and that Davao can count on Mati in times of crisis.

Initially, Mati City wanted to donate cash but Duterte requested that it be converted to school supplies.

Rabat said she already directed the release of the money and the purchase of school supplies for the Dabawenyo children.

Mati bought about four hundred sets of school supplies that include bag, pencils, papers, notebooks and others. The school supplies will be formally turned over to the Davao City government tomorrow.

Mayor Duterte, meanwhile, thanked the Mati City government for their assistance.