PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte was a no-show during the rally of his political party, Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) in Davao City, Friday evening, March 15.
Duterte, who is the party’s national chairman, was not able to join the event at the Davao Crocodile Park grounds due to migraine.
The announcement was made by PDP-Laban President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III that led the audience to immediately leave the venue right after.
In an ambush interview, former special assistant to the president and PDP-Laban senatoriable Christopher “Bong” Go said the president had also skipped the distribution of Certificates of Land Ownership Awards (CLOA) ceremony late afternoon at the University of Mindanao prior to the rally for the same reason.
“Sumasakit talaga ulo ni Pangulo ngayon (The president is currently having a headache). Indisposed siya. Kaya nga he had to cancel two events,” Go said.
He, however, guaranteed the public that the president is alright and he was resting at his residence the whole day on March 15.
The former presidential aide said that President Duterte will be in Davao City to celebrate the Araw ng Dabaw with the Dabawenyos. However, he is not sure if we will be going out and watch the activities.
The president’s no-show in events had been the subject of speculations on his health condition.
Meanwhile, present during the political rally are PDP-Laban’s official candidates, called as MaBaGoKoTo: former Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa, Go, Maguindanao 2nd District Representative Zajid Mangudadatu, Pimentel, and former presidential political adviser Francis Tolentino.
The party’s guest candidates, Sonny Angara, Pia Cayetano, JV Ejercito, Imee Marcos, and Cynthia Villar were also present to campaign to the Dabawenyos. Freddie Aguilar was not able to join them.
Celebrities such as Bayani Agbayani, Robin Padilla, and Philip Salvador, also came onstage to entertain the crowd.