AROUND a hundred supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte gathered again on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Roxas Freedom Park in Davao City to denounce her impeachment.
The event began with a mass at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Obrero at around 3 p.m., followed by a motorcade from Torres to Obrero, with the final stop at Roxas Freedom Park where the rally took place.
By 5 p.m., numerous people had gathered and were entertained by musical performances.
Wearing green shirts bearing the messages "Protect VP Sara" and "No to Impeachment," the supporters listened to speeches from the convenors and fellow supporters.
Boy Dela Cruz, one of the event organizers, said in a media interview that there were around 79 groups of supporters. In addition to supporting Duterte amid the impeachment complaints, he said the event also served as the launch of the coalition to protect VP Sara.
"Karung adlawa atoang pormal nga gitakna ug gi-ablihan nato ang coalition sa nagkadaiyang mga pundok nga naga protekta kay VP Sara Duterte (Today, we formally set open the coalition of various groups that are protecting VP Sara Duterte)," he said.
Dela Cruz explained that they had limited time to prepare for the event and wanted it to coincide with the commemoration of the Edsa People Power Revolution. He attributed the low turnout to the short notice and a similar event taking place in Pantukan.
Former Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Chair Maria Belen “Mabel” Acosta said she attended the Protect VP Sara rally to show support for the embattled Vice President amid the ongoing impeachment complaints against her.
"Sayang kaayo ang serbisyo ni Sara Duterte, mura’g walay bili sa Marcos administration. Makadaog ba diay si Marcos kung wala gitabangan ni Inday Sara? (The service of Sara Duterte has been put to waste, it seems like it's of no value for the Marcos administration. Would Marcos have won if Inday Sara didn't help him?)," she said during her speech.
Acosta further said that after the chaos currently affecting the country, she hopes the public will vote for Duterte in the upcoming presidential election. She believes the service Duterte provides is what the entire nation needs, and during her tenure as mayor of Davao City, Duterte brought significant development to the city, making it insurgency-free through the Peace 911 initiative.
She emphasized that the impeachment complaints filed against Duterte have no grounds, as there had been no betrayal of trust.
She stated that Duterte has no record of financial misconduct at the Commission on Audit (COA) and that her record is one of good governance during her time as mayor and vice mayor of Davao City. Despite having no budget as Vice President, she has still been able to serve the people.
Meanwhile, according to the estimate by the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), around 100 individuals attended the rally, while approximately 200 people participated in the mass and motorcade. The DCPO deployed around 191 safety and security personnel for the event, which concluded without any incidents.
To recall, Duterte's supporters organized an Indignation Rally recently, advocating for a zero vote for the 240 congressmen who signed the endorsement of the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President.
Thousands rally for VP in Cebu
Meanwhile, at least 20,000 people gathered in support of Vice President Sara Duterte in Mandaue City on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025.
They held an indignation rally at the grounds of Pasilong Paradise over the impeachment complaint submitted by the House of Representatives against the Vice President before it proceeds to the Senate.
Her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, was expected to attend the activity later in the evening. The event was organized by Hakbang ng Maisug Cebu.
Elmer Jugalbot, a Cebu-based political content creator, said in a press conference on Friday, Feb. 21, that Hakbang ng Maisug is not a political party but a social movement aiming for a change in government. He noted that this group was created during efforts related to changing the existing 1987 Constitution last year.
Among the national political figures present were senatorial candidates Vic Rodriguez and Jimmy Bondoc. Rodriguez previously served as spokesman for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and later as Malacañang executive secretary from June to September 2022.
Rodriguez stated that he joined Hakbang ng Maisug to advocate for transparency in government spending and questioned alleged blank items in this year’s national budget. He also criticized what he called a “questionable” impeachment process against Vice President Duterte for undermining due process.
Bondoc attended after learning about the rally while being present at other events. He praised local and national politicians who remained loyal to the Dutertes despite being under Marcos’ administration. Bondoc echoed Rodriguez’s sentiments regarding budget scrutiny if elected to the Senate.
Dismissed Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes was also spotted at the rally. The elder Duterte endorsed his reelection bid in May after the proclamation of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino senatorial slate on Feb. 13.
On Feb. 5th, the last day before Congress went on a break ahead of May’s midterm elections, the House impeached Sara Duterte and immediately submitted seven Articles of Impeachment to Senate. RGP WITH SS-CEBU
