Sara Duterte leads launching of pro-admin alliance

In a call to end "destructive politicking," Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Monday led the launching of an alliance in support of President Rodrigo Duterte's administration.

Hundreds of Duterte supporters wearing red shirt gathered at Marquis Events Place, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig to support the launch of  "Tapang at Malasakit Alliance for the Philippines."

During her speech, Mayor Duterte said she took the initiative to lead the new alliance as she is not a member of any other pro-Duterte alliances except for the "Biyaheng Du30" or the campaign caravan of her father.

Mayor Sara said that Filipinos these days were going against each other and were either divided into red or yellow. Yellow is the campaign color the Liberal Party.

"Ang nangyari Filipinos against Filipinos. Pilipinong pula against Pilipinong yellow. Pilipinong pula against Pilipinong puti," she said. "So I thought to myself, nandoon ako sa Davao, sa Mindanao, I said isa lang naman tayo and wala namang Filipino A, Filipino B, Filipino rich, Filipino poor. Isa lang naman ang sinasabi ng Konstitusyon nating Filipino."

Come together

She also underscored that this is not the time for different voices to "destroy each other."

"What we are trying to say is that we come together for our country, not go against each other to the detriment of our country. Parang napansin ko kasi isang taon na tayo pa rin yung nag-aaway-away na dapat sana nagtutulungan tayo to turn around this country," she said.

"I started it with the groups who will listen to me, sinabihan ko sila kanina sabi ko we only have five years to turn this country around and make it a globally competitive player in the ASEAN Region which is dapat 'yun yung focus talaga natin hindi yung bring it each other, destroy each other," Sara said.

"Hindi sana ganon. We can do that in the next election again, not right now, kasi kailangan nating magtrabaho lahat para sa mga komunidad natin, kailangan nating magtrabaho sa sariling LGUs natin and our national officials to work on our country, our government," she added.

Not for 2019 polls

The president's daughter also revealed that she did not inform her father regarding the formation of a new alliance. She also denied that the launching of a new alliance is in preparation for the 2019 polls.

"Hindi ko naman kailangan yung mga taga-Luzon para sa kandidatura ko sa Davao, so no. This is not for elections 2019," she said.

Meanwhile, Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Karen Jimeno said the focus of the public should be on recognizing the "difference between constructive criticisms and destructive politicking,"

"Within a year of the Duterte administration, we have seen significant reforms and accomplishments that can have a tremendous impact on the lives of the Filipinos, especially the poor. For instance, the administration's social development policy includes free education program in state universities and colleges," said Jimeno, who read the alliance’s statement.

"The President has also ordered the swift rehabilitation of Typhoon Yolanda-affected areas. To address traffic problems and increase connectivity, the administration has embarked on an ambitious Build Build Build program to construct subway and railway systems," she added.

The newly-formed alliance also highlighted the liberation of Marawi City from terror forces saying that the killing of terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute "exhibited the strong and decisive leadership" of the President despite "numerous challenges."

Unity among Filipinos

"We enjoin all Filipinos to help the government succeed in its plans to improve the country. Let us not be distracted by the noise created by clashing political interests. We support freedom of speech and expression, but we need to recognize the difference between constructive criticisms and destructive politicking," the alliance said.

"Regardless of individual opinions, we have to unite in solving issues that affect our everyday lives - such as corruption in government, poverty, lack of employment opportunities, traffic congestion, proliferation of drugs, criminality, threats to the environment, insufficient access to health and education," it added.

"Whether you voted for President Duterte or not, let us cast our differences aside and work together towards a greater cause. We need to rebuild a better Marawi. We need to build a better Philippines," Tapang at Malasakit alliance for the Philippines said.

Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano, Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson, and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairman Andrea Domingo also attended the gathering.

The President's staunchest supporters including Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) board member Benny Antiporda, lawyer Larry Gadon, National Youth Council and Duterte Youth chairman commissioner Ronald Caderma, PAGCOR's Entertainment Department officer-in-charge and assistant vice president for the Community Relations and Services department Jimmy Bondoc, and Lawyer Bruce Rivera were also present during the event.

Abella said he attended in the event upon the invitation of Mayor Duterte.

"The only reason I'm here, the main reason I'm here is because Mayor Duterte invited me and aside from that of course I'm a supporter of the President. I'm here as a presidential appointee, it's also part of my job to be able to listen to what's happening," he said. — RSJ/KBK, GMA News