KIDAPAWAN CITY (April 13) — Thousands of residents gathered at the City Hall Plaza in Kidapawan City for a PDP-Laban rally on Sunday evening. The event featured speeches from Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, Kidapawan City Mayor Paolo Evangelista, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, and North Cotabato gubernatorial candidate Manny Piñol.
Duterte addressed the crowd, expressing the pain felt by supporters of his father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently in custody at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands. He emphasized the need for unity among supporters during this challenging time.​
In his speech, Dela Rosa said he found an ally in North Cotabato. He said, “If my warrant of arrest will be out, I will hide here in Kidapawan City,” to the delight of his supporters.
The rally was part of the “Tribute to Tatay Digong & Proclamation of Asenso Cotabato” event, aiming to galvanize support for PDP-Laban candidates in the upcoming elections. At the same time, several women’s groups in Davao City held the Green Rise rally at Rizal Park.
Attendees filled the plaza, showing solidarity and support for the party’s platform and its candidates. The event highlighted the ongoing influence of the Duterte political legacy in Mindanao.
Edith Z Caduaya studied Bachelor of Science in Development Communication at the University of Southern Mindanao.
The chairperson of Mindanao Independent Press Council (MIPC) Inc.
