DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 16 March) – The camp of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) standard bearer Rodrigo R. Duterte will hold a “grand rally” at 4 p.m. here today (Wednesday) at the Freedom Park, along Roxas Avenue.
In an email on Tuesday, Peter T. Lavina, head of the Team Duterte’s media group, said the rally is projected to be the biggest political event in the history of the city, as he encouraged the Dabawenyos to come out and join in the rally to support Duterte’s candidacy.
In a text message to MindaNews, Rocky Balili, a political leader and member of the Run Rodrigo Duterte and Duterte Diehard Supporter (DDS)-Davao Region, said an estimated crowd of 35,000, including contingents coming from outside the city, will join the rally.
March 16 also marked the 79th founding anniversary of Davao City.
This will be the first time that Duterte will hold a rally in the city after the official start of the election campaign for national officials last February 9 where he held his opening salvo in Tondo, Manila simultaneous with provincial rallies nationwide.
The rally will be highlighted with “Kahayag sa Pagbag-o” where Dabawenyos are encouraged to light candles for Duterte who, with his running mate Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, has vowed to bring genuine change in the country.
Duterte and Cayetano will be present during the Duterte rally, Lavina said.
“Duterte has vowed to stop illegal drugs, criminality and corruption in the first three to six months of his term if he wins the presidency in the May national elections,” the press statement reads.
Duterte placed second in the March 1 to 6 presidential survey of the Pulse Asia with 24 percent while Sen. Grace Poe has retained her lead with 28 percent, according to reports.
Vice President Jejomar Binay, who got 21 percent, is statistically tied on third place with administration bet Manuel “Mar” Roxas II with 20 percent.
Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago got 3 percent.
