MANILA, Philippines — Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte yesterday led the launching of an alliance supporting the administration of her father at the Marquis Events Place at the Bonifacio Global Center in Taguig City.
Called “Tapang at Malasakit Alliance for the Philippines,” the pro-Duterte alliance aims to unite all Filipinos and to support the political and economic agenda of President Duterte.
“Let’s start by continuing to fight global terrorism by quickly rebuilding Marawi, focus on our poverty that has fueled narco-politicians, set aside our personal politics that has torn our country every time we have a new president,” Sara said during the launch.
“Our President is human, very imperfect, but he’s a wrangler. We only have five years to take advantage of his aggressive spirit, his warrior spirit and use him to create a better future for our country.
“This is not a part of any campaign to run for any position. It is not about me, it’s not about my political plans. But everybody knows that when you start your political moves for a certain office this early, you know that you would be destroyed. So, this is not about politics. This alliance is for the country,” she added.
Presidential son Sebastian Duterte, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, controversial blogger and Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson were also present in the event.
But many supporters who came all the way from other cities were not able to enter the Maquis Events Place because of limited space.
Only 500 invited guests were allowed to attend the launching. Event organizers set up a large LCD screen in a tent for the supporters outside the venue to watch the launch of the alliance.
Event organizers also distributed red t-shirts to supporters.
Benito Ranque, deputy secretary general of Duterte’s political party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), said he believes that the reforms being pursued by the President will have great impact on the lives of Filipinos, especially the poor.
Former Mandaluyong mayor Benhur Abalos also called for unity and support for Duterte’s war on drugs.
Duterte’s war on drugs has drawn flak due to the summary killings of drug suspects and even minors without proven links to the drug trade. During the campaign for the 2016 presidential elections, Duterte promised to kill all drug users and pushers. – With Edith Regalado