Local supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte gathered at Plaza Independencia on Thursday, June 4, in a hastily organized rally that organizers described as an initial show of resistance against what they called political attacks on Duterte allies and recent developments in the Senate.
The assembly, organized by local chapters of the pro-Duterte movement Hakbang Maisug, drew supporters from across Cebu and reflected growing frustration among Duterte’s regional base over developments in Manila, particularly the dispute over Senate leadership and renewed hearings on alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
Former Cebu City mayor Mike Rama joined the gathering, which also included members of Hakbang Maisug, Cebu Alliance for Duterte, Duterte Riders Team, Save the Philippines, and other Duterte-aligned groups.
Ernest “Jun” Abines, lead convenor and spokesperson of Hakbang Maisug-Cebu, said the rally was organized on short notice as a “lightning rally” to show that Duterte supporters in Cebu are closely monitoring national political developments.
“Gahapon pa ni nato nasugdan ang desisyonan. Ipakita nato diri sa Sugbo nga wala ta ingon nga ato lang gi-ignore,” Abines said.
He said the gathering reflected strong emotions among supporters over developments in Manila.
“Ang mga Sugboanon, I think 80 to 90 percent na sagmuyo gyud, naglagot, nahiubos, na-depress sa nahitabo sa Manila,” he said.
Abines described the assembly as a starting point for possible larger mobilizations if political tensions continue to escalate, adding that some supporters have discussed the possibility of holding actions in Manila if they believe certain senators are being treated unfairly.
Much of the rally focused on the Senate’s leadership dispute and ongoing hearings linked to alleged corruption in government flood control projects.
Abines criticized senators he accused of delaying investigations into the issue and expressed support for senators aligned with former Senate president Alan Peter Cayetano.
He also questioned the legitimacy of actions taken by the Senate’s newly constituted leadership, echoing claims from Duterte-allied lawmakers that recent reorganization lacked sufficient votes.
However, legal groups and former Senate officials have taken a different position.
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) earlier said the June 3 Senate session that reorganized the chamber’s leadership was lawful and valid, citing the Supreme Court ruling in Avelino v. Cuenco.
It added that quorum may be determined based on senators present and within the Senate’s authority to compel attendance, with 12 senators deemed sufficient under that interpretation after excluding those who could not realistically be compelled to attend.
Former Senate president Franklin Drilon also said the reorganization remains valid unless overturned by the Supreme Court.
Several senators, including Loren Legarda and Pia Cayetano, have disputed this, arguing that the Constitution requires 13 votes to elect a Senate president in a chamber of 24 members.
Despite the political tension, organizers said the rally aimed to highlight what they described as the need for transparency, accountability, and fairness in Senate proceedings.
Abines said participants were closely monitoring developments in the upper chamber and urged lawmakers to ensure that investigations remain focused on public interest, stressing that Senate processes should remain free from political influence.
He added that the gathering also served as a show of continued engagement among supporters.
“Kung dili ta molaban sa matarong nga politiko, ang mga mabilin diha ang mga kawatan og mga korakot,” he said.
While no official crowd estimate was provided, Abines said attendance was around 200 to 300 people, with some supporters from other parts of Cebu unable to arrive in time.
He described the rally as a symbolic demonstration showing that Cebuanos remain engaged in national issues despite being outside Manila.
“Ato ipakita nga bisan pa og unsa kagamay, ang importante naa’y motingog nga Sugboanon or mga Bisaya,” he said.
The rally remained peaceful throughout the afternoon, with participants carrying banners and expressing support for Duterte and allied senators.
Photo by Kaiser Jan Fuentes
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