Duterte supporters hold rally at SC

Supporters of the Duterte family on Monday held a protest in front of the Supreme Court compound to call for a temporary restraining order (TRO) on the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte and the return of former President Rodrigo Duterte from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In an interview, Eduardo Laurencio said the petitions seeking the return of Duterte from The Hague, where he is detained on charges of crimes against humanity over the drug war, are still pending.

“Nakikiusap kami sa… Korte Suprema na kailangan na aksyunan (We are asking the SC that the petition needs to be addressed),” he said.

“Kinakailangan din aksyunan ‘yan impeachment na ‘yan dahil hindi po ito makaka- solusyon doon sa laganap na kagutuman, kahirapan na nararanasan ng sambayanang Pilipino,” Laurencio said.

(It is also necessary to act on the petitions regarding the impeachment because it will not solve the hunger and poverty being experienced by the Filipinos.)

On March 27, lawyers Israelito Torreon, Vic Rodriguez, Rescie Angelli Rizada-Nolasco, Martin Delgra III, Wendel Avisado, James Patrick Bondoc, Raul Lambino, Luna Maria Acosta-Manlitoc, Jesus Hinlo Jr., and Dr. Richard Mata asked the SC to issue a TRO against the impeachment proceedings.

The Vice President filed a separate petition on March 30. 

Last week, the SC consolidated the petitions and directed the House of Representatives and the House Justice panel to comment on the petitions.

At the rally, one supporter said the Marcos administration is prioritizing impeachment hearings amid high fuel prices.

Laurencio also said he wants President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to seek emergency powers to address oil prices.

“Ang gusto natin, humingi ka ng emergency powers regarding diyan sa oil price. Bakit hindi mo ipatupad? Itigil ang VAT, itigil ang excise tax, at i-abolish ang Oil Deregulation Law,” he said.

(What we want is for you to ask for emergency powers regarding that oil price issue. Why won’t you implement it? Stop the VAT, stop the excise tax, and abolish the Oil Deregulation Law.)

The supporters also carried posters calling for action on the petitions for Duterte, the junking of the Oil Deregulation Law, and the decrease of fuel prices. 

Over the weekend, the Department of Energy said that pump prices for diesel may decrease by P20.89 per liter, while gasoline may drop by P4.43 per liter, and kerosene may be cut by P8.50 per liter this week.—AOL, GMA News