By Adrianne Diaz
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte supporters who flocked around the Comelec headquarters clamored and cheered for their presidential bet, but their efforts went down in vain as the mayor was a no-show for the last four days of COC filing.
Members of the Digong Duterte Supporters (DDS) from various chapters gathered near the COMELEC building in Intramuros, Manila, to express support for their endeared bet, last Thursday, Oct. 15
Members of the Digong Duterte Supporters (DDS) from various chapters gathered near the COMELEC building in Intramuros, Manila, to express support for their endeared bet, last Thursday, Oct. 15
Amidst the roaring crowd, DDS Manila Chapter’s Suhaili Abangon said that Duterte is “the change needed by the Philippines.” He also said that he wishes “all cities were like Davao, [which is] possible only should Duterte be elected for President.”
Abangon also added that he envied the city, being the fourth safest in the world.
Meanwhile, other DDS Manila Chapter members were having their heads shaved, similar to the move made by Duterte’s daughter, Inday Sarah, in an Instagram post that connoted the latter’s approval of calls for her father to seek the presidency in 2016.
The members of the Manila Chapter said that they were having their heads shaved to express “signs of change.” This ceremony lasted all afternoon, and was not only limited to its male members.
The UGMAD Seafarer’s Group of the DDS was also one of the chapters present during clamoring. It is a chapter of the support group composed of seamen with families residing in the Philippines.
“As a seaman, being away from our families is tough, and their safety is our utmost concern,” said Edgar Enopia, one of the members of the Seafarer’s group.
“It does not make it easy for us to be in the middle of the ocean, when our families are surrounded by criminals,” Enopia added.
He explained that Davao City has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, making them root for Duterte to “instigate change in the country,” and “keep their families safe.”
Enopia also said that seeing Duterte reside in his low-cost village makes them believe the mayor is against corruption, saying that such incident is unlikely in the government present today.
“After only a few years, you can see them living in mansions.” Enopia said.
The Duterte for President, DDS Bicol Chapter was also in attendance, a chapter that grew in number by early afternoon.
“We think that it is Inday Sarah who will be taking the position of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in Davao City,” said DDS Bicol Chapter President Ram Samar.
“We chose to shave our heads today because if you check Ms. Inday Sarah’s Instagram post, you will see that she truly has allowed her father to run for President.”
When asked about the possibilities of Duterte filing for a re-election, Samar immediately turned down the question saying they did not believe in such because “he (Duterte) will not let his people down.”
Duterte, however, has been unclear with his intent to run in the last few days since the beginning of the filing of COCs.
The Mayor’s Political Advisor has announced the public of Duterte’s filing of COC this week, which Duterte immediately took back.
“There was no ambition for me to aspire for the presidency. The country does not need me. I find no need for it. I guess it is fate that wills that our long journey together should end this way,” Duterte told reporters.
Samar, on the other hand, said that they understood Duterte in his indecisiveness, for his family being the reason was valid. He said that the DDS will be waiting for the mayor to file his COC until the last day of the filing.
Despite the shaved heads and the various group’s clamor, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte did not show up last Thursday, the fourth day of the filing. With only a day left in the filing of COC Duterte has not yet revealed any plans to run for the highest position in government.
Abangon also added that he envied the city, being the fourth safest in the world.
Meanwhile, other DDS Manila Chapter members were having their heads shaved, similar to the move made by Duterte’s daughter, Inday Sarah, in an Instagram post that connoted the latter’s approval of calls for her father to seek the presidency in 2016.
The members of the Manila Chapter said that they were having their heads shaved to express “signs of change.” This ceremony lasted all afternoon, and was not only limited to its male members.
The UGMAD Seafarer’s Group of the DDS was also one of the chapters present during clamoring. It is a chapter of the support group composed of seamen with families residing in the Philippines.
“As a seaman, being away from our families is tough, and their safety is our utmost concern,” said Edgar Enopia, one of the members of the Seafarer’s group.
“It does not make it easy for us to be in the middle of the ocean, when our families are surrounded by criminals,” Enopia added.
He explained that Davao City has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, making them root for Duterte to “instigate change in the country,” and “keep their families safe.”
Enopia also said that seeing Duterte reside in his low-cost village makes them believe the mayor is against corruption, saying that such incident is unlikely in the government present today.
“After only a few years, you can see them living in mansions.” Enopia said.
The Duterte for President, DDS Bicol Chapter was also in attendance, a chapter that grew in number by early afternoon.
“We think that it is Inday Sarah who will be taking the position of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in Davao City,” said DDS Bicol Chapter President Ram Samar.
“We chose to shave our heads today because if you check Ms. Inday Sarah’s Instagram post, you will see that she truly has allowed her father to run for President.”
When asked about the possibilities of Duterte filing for a re-election, Samar immediately turned down the question saying they did not believe in such because “he (Duterte) will not let his people down.”
Duterte, however, has been unclear with his intent to run in the last few days since the beginning of the filing of COCs.
The Mayor’s Political Advisor has announced the public of Duterte’s filing of COC this week, which Duterte immediately took back.
“There was no ambition for me to aspire for the presidency. The country does not need me. I find no need for it. I guess it is fate that wills that our long journey together should end this way,” Duterte told reporters.
Samar, on the other hand, said that they understood Duterte in his indecisiveness, for his family being the reason was valid. He said that the DDS will be waiting for the mayor to file his COC until the last day of the filing.
Despite the shaved heads and the various group’s clamor, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte did not show up last Thursday, the fourth day of the filing. With only a day left in the filing of COC Duterte has not yet revealed any plans to run for the highest position in government.