Former president Duterte to attend: Prayer rally in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — A prayer rally is set to take place in Cebu City on February 25, 2024 at the newly-opened Plaza sa Katawhan, with former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte expected to grace the event.

Based on announcements posted online, the prayer rally is meant to promote “Transparency, Accountability, Peace, and Security (TAPS) in the country.” It calls action against the maneuvers of the so-called People’s Initiative.

The event was originally set for February 17, but was moved to a later date as announced by former actress Vivian Velez over YouTube and Facebook, and shared by mostly identified Duterte supporters.

Velez said the event has several speakers but did not identify them.

Former broadcaster Jay Sonza also posted in his social media account the upcoming prayer rally in Cebu City on February 25 dubbed as “Hakbang ng Maisug” or “Step of the Brave.”

Two weeks ago, a separate prayer rally was also held in Davao City against the People’s Initiative where Duterte, in his speech, criticized President Bongbong Marcos.

Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama, during the flag ceremony at the City Hall grounds yesterday, also discussed the upcoming rally, although did not confirm whether ex-president Duterte will be coming over as announced.

“Daghan nangutana nko aning prayer rally…wala'y problema ng prayer rally, basta mag prayer lang,” said Rama.

Rama disclosed that he will be joining the prayer rally as long as it’s only against the People’s Initiative.

“Kon naa koy panahon, muapil ko basta ang issue against People’s initiative…uyon ko ana. Storya na 'g issue nga mabungkag ang Pilipinas, wa koy labot ana,” Mayor Rama stressed.

The mayor said he is thankful that there were barangay captains in the city who admitted being lured to support the People’s Initiative, though none of them nor any congressman gave him a heads-up on such move.

“Wala gyud ko kauyon anang People’s Initiative. Wala mananghid mga Congress representative nako unya naabot na nas barangay. Salamat sad kos mga barangay captain niangkon sad sila. Pero walay isa ka barangay kapitan nanawag nako... 'Mayor kahibaw ba ka ani?' Wala! Ambot naa bay kwartag wa...kon kamoy mayor, ang usa ka amahan way kalibutan ang anak, tua nagbuhat, tua wa gani nagpahibaw, unsay feeling? Mahiubos!” Rama lamented.

The mayor said that the prayer rally is allowed as long as they secure the necessary permits.

Further, Rama emphasized that he is for unity.

“Hinumdumi, ang ako biyang punto, unity for the country. Dili ta mu add up fuel to fire. I stand for the duly constituted authority and my president is Marcos and my vice president is Duterte and I stand by that Uni-team,” Mayor Rama said.

Rama added he will stand by both Marcos and Duterte, unless the two do not want him anymore.

“I am promoting for unity and not separation of our islands,” Rama added. — (FREEMAN)