PDP-Laban’s Jimmy Bondoc: INC-led November 16-18 rally is for reform

Lawyer Jimmy Bondoc of PDP-Laban, the political party chaired by former President Rodrigo Duterte, called on Filipinos to participate in the three-day “rally for reform” organized by religious group Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).

The rally will take place at the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park from November 16 to 18.

“Pumunta po kayo sa November 16 para po mag-petition sa ating gobyerno for redress of grievances, para po dinggin [ng pamahalaan] ang ating tinig, na ang gobyerno ay kailangang mag-ayos na, para matigil na po ang pagdurusa ng taong bayan,” Bondoc said in a press conference.

(Let us go to the November 16 rally to petition our government, so the government can hear our voice, that they should shape up and end the suffering of our people.)

“Kaya sa pamahalaan, huwag nyo na po kami isipan ng masama. Hindi po kami inciting [to sedition]. We are inspiring. At sa ating mga kalaban naman, na taong bayan, maniwala po kayo, hindi political ang November 16, hindi partisan. It is about reform and the salvation of our country,” he added.

(To our government officials, do not think of us as enemies. We are not inciting anything. To our political rivals, believe us, this is not a political or partisan move.)

Bondoc also urged attendees of the INC rally should also reach out to those with different political affiliations, saying the cause of holding the government accountable has no color.

“Huwag po natin isipin ang kulay pagdating sa November 16 to 18. Pumunta po tayo doon dahil lahat po tayo,  gusto natin maituro kung sino talaga ang kailangan managot sa nangyayari sa ating bayan,” Bondoc said.

(Let us not think about political colors in going to the rally. We will be there because we want accountability over what is happening to our country.)

“Kausapin natin ‘yung mga kalaban natin [sa politika]. Kasi po meron po tayong mga kalaban na mga mabubuting tao rin. Pero sila po, sa aking totoong palagay, ay may maling akala. Bagamat marami sa atin ay politiko, this is not a political exercise. Para sa bayan po ito. This is not about retribution only. This is about reforming the government,” Bondoc added.

(Let us talk to our political rivals, because these are good people too. They are just being mistaken that we are doing this for politics. It is not. This is for our country.)

Newspaper columnist Ramon Tulfo earlier alleged the existence of a destabilization plot against the government that involves individuals supportive of former President Duterte.

Among those in the list are his children Vice President Sara Duterte and Davao City Congressman Paolo Duterte, and former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson.

Congressman Duterte has denied the allegations.

Former President Duterte has been detained in the Scheveningen prison in The Hague, Netherlands since March 13 on alleged crimes against humanity due to the thousands of deaths in his drug war as president and killings attributed to the Davao Death Squad when he was mayor of Davao City. — BM, GMA Integrated News