DAVAO CITY — Two rallies in two different cities were held on Sunday with thousands of Filipinos in attendance, one shouts for a brand new governance while the other criticizes the later for being tied up in politics by pushing for the amendment of the 1987 Constitution.
Both rallies were held on Sunday, January 28.
At Quirino Grandstand in Manila, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. led the “Bagong Pilipinas” kick-off rally, with thousands of supporters and government workers participating in the one-day event.
While the San Pedro Square in Davao, barangay captains allied with the group of former president Rodrigo Duterte brought their constituents clan in while t=shirt thousands also joined the rally and candle lighting opposing the People’s Initiative.
The Marcos administration launched Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) as a movement to mobilize citizens to engage in different government-led initiatives.
According to the Presidential Communication Office, Bagong Pilipinas advocates for governance characterized by a principled, accountable, and dependable government reinforced by unified institutions of society, whose common objective is to realize the goals and aspirations of every Filipino.
During his speech, Marcos encouraged Filipinos to actively participate and contribute to a better Philippines.
He also reminded the public about the importance of an honest government, urging government leaders not to be corrupt and to avoid squandering the country’s resources.
It was a show of force as hundreds of people from all walks of life in Metro Manila for the official launching of Bagong Pilipinas while in Davao City thousands also launched Hakbang ng Maisug.
Wearing or black t-shirt with words written “Dabawenyo’s are not for sale”, Duterte’s supporters first flocked to a local hotel for the orientation of Hakbang ng Maisug conducted by then Secretary to the Cabinet Leoncio Evasco Jr., one the former president’s lieutenants in his entire political career.
The candlelight prayer rally followed which is in protest of the People’s Initiative which the Marcos administration is pushing to pave the way for the amendment of the economic provision in the 1987 Constitution.
Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte during the orientation reminded President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that it was his father former president Rodrigo Duterte who allowed the wish of the Marcos family to give the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. a hero’s burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
“My father allowed their father to be buried,” Duterte said in Bisaya . The President’s father was given full military honors in November 2016.
In his speech, the young Duterte dared Marcos, “Mr. President, if wala kay gugma ug aspirations sa imohang nasud, resign )Mr. President, if you don’t love and aspirations for your country, resign’).
He chided, the country is eaten up by too much politicking as he joked about a man whom he hinted as House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez who attended the orientation said “I am also contemplating on filing a petition before the Supreme Court questioning the signatures gathered, pag ang signatures na ito obtained in exchange of money or something in consideration other than voluntary this can be voided. Meaning, may pag-asa tayo para question-in ang people’s initiative before the proper court.”
MArcos Jr. former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez joined the Duterte group in Davao.
The Quirino gathering was filled with government officials and supporters of the administration while the Davao event was attended by residents who were encouraged by their barangay captains to join.
In both events, Vice President Sara Duterte was in attendance.
The Davao City Police Office said the Davao Rally held at the Rizal Square which also filled up the nearby San Pedro and Magallanes streets was attended by 53,000 people.
In 2001, the late City Engineer Joaquin Cui Jr. said the maximum capacity of San Pedro Street and Rizal Park (now San Pedro Square) is only 6,000 people with people just standing on the ground.
The Presidential News Desk claimed over 400,000 Filipinos from all walks of life participated and witnessed how the administration envisioned a new Philippines that is pro-Filipinos.
Political observers say the Quirino Grandstand event was a reminiscent to the platform of the late president Marcos’ Bagong Lipunan while the Davao event was a show that the people here always rally behind the Duterte’s.
