Most Cebu leaders did not show up: Mike, Dondon in prayer rally

CEBU, Philippines — Mayor Michael Rama and Acting Vice Mayor Donaldo Hontiveros showed up in last night’s Prayer Rally for Transparency, Accountability, Peace and Security”, with the mayor asking that everyone pray for unity.

And while many local officials in Cebu, who were mostly supporters of former president Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte, did not attend, thousands of Cebuanos, however, flocked to the Kasadya sa SRP (South Road Properties) grounds, undeterred by the light to moderate rains that occurred around 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.  (The rain totally stopped when the program formally started at 8pm.)

People from all walks of life, from Overseas Filipino workers to solo parents, persons with disability, riders, fisherfolk, farmers, urban poor, among others, joined the event.

There were those who came all the way from Cagayan de Oro, Samar, Leyte, and other places.

The prayer rally was aimed to create awareness and fight the ongoing signature campaign called “People’s Initiative”, which is intended to change the Constitution via the House of Representatives.

The move is criticized as meant for the officials to perpetuate themselves in power.

In his speech, Mayor Rama reiterated his stand that he is against the People’s Initiative because it has become a “congressional initiative” and a “secret initiative”.

“We are not for sale. Cebu City is not for sale. Our country is not for sale,” he said.

He also asked everyone to express a prayer for unity, as what was the event was supposed to be, while calling out President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte to do their jobs well.

Mayor Rama recalled that the venue, the SRP, is the same one where the Uniteam, the team that was expected to lead the country to further progress and unity, had gathered.

Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, on the other hand, lambasted House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for the move.

“Speaker lang ka kay tungod ang Presidente imong ig-agaw,” Duterte said.

“Sugalan tika one five lang nga manghatag ka og ayuda nga wala imong pangalan. Sunod naay sunog, hatag og ayuda wala imong nawong, wala imong pangalan. Banatan na lang gyud tika, suklan na lang gyud tika,” he further said.

As of press time, the prayer rally was still ongoing, with president Duterte yet to deliver his message. —/RHM (FREEMAN)