CEBU, Philippines - At least a thousand took their oath as members of the People's Initiative for Federalism during the group's launch in Cebu City yesterday.
The group, led by Emmanuel Duterte, the brother of President Rodrigo Duterte, is helping the President's cause of pushing for a federal form of government.
Among those who took their oath were members of the Guardians Brotherhood, students from Cebu Technological University, and private citizens.
Senators Manny Pacquiao and Alan Peter Cayetano were supposed to be part of the launch but did not make it to the event. They were reportedly at Pacquiao's birthday party.
Emmanuel said shifting to a federal form of government would be the pinnacle of fulfillment of Duterte's promise during the campaign - that "change is coming."
Messiah
For Emmanuel, his brother is a messiah from heaven sent to reform the Philippines.
"Si Hesukristo gipadala diri sa kalibutan para bag-ohon ug limpyohon ang mga sala sa tao. Mahimo na mga buotan tanan. Ang akong igsoon, sa akong tan-aw, gipadala sa Ginoo kay kita sa Pilipinas, wala nay pag-asa," Emmanuel Duterte told the crowd at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation.
Like Jesus' history, Emmanuel said the President earned enemies and was rebuked while initiating reforms.
"Niingon si Christo, sige nalang, ang akong kinabuhi nalang ang akong ihatag para ma-salbar tanan. So gilansang siya sa krus. Nawala ang sala sa tao. Ang akong igsoon, pareho ra ug sitwasyon. Nidagan siya. Nakadaug siya. Kinsa man iyang kalaban? Ang mga dagkong businessman, ang corrupt na politician, ang mga criminal, ang mga drug pusher, nga maundang ang ilahang pangwarta. So gusto nila nga tanggalon siya. Mosugot ba mo nga mahimo siyang hesukristo nga ilansang sa krus?" Emmanuel said. (FREEMAN)