DAVAO CITY – The non-stop campaign for Federalism advocacy finally took a toll on Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte as he experienced a brief bout of vertigo (dizziness) prompting his doctors to advise him to take a rest and as a consequence he missed meeting a huge crowd in Cotabato City. In an attempt to fulfill his speaking engagement, organizers tried to establish a communication link but this too failed.
Last week Duterte made a non-stop rally in four forums held in Zambales and Pangasinan, excluding a private hobnob with business groups in Subic. He returned to home base for the weekend and hosted some guests in the Pambansang Palaro, had two meetings in separate venues over the weekend and proceeded to Marawi City.
Duterte missed lunch in his Marawi engagement as he proceeded straight to the Marawi Terminal Complex where he was welcomed with a standing ovation by an enthusiastic crowd from Lanao’s predominantly Moslem populace.
Duterte was introduced by his former colleague in congress, Rep. Benasing Macarambon who described him as an “an authentic leader from Mindanao”. In his speech Duterte said that he wants federalism so badly he wants to see it in place before he dies.
“I would be happy to die kung makita ko ang federalism sa Pilipinas,” Duterte declared before an audience that was “more than 50 percent women” as pointed out by a lady reactor.
Duterte pointed out that the fate of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) had hung in the balance after the Mamasapano debacle. He noted both that Pres. Benigno Aquino III and Presidential Adviser on Peace Process had warned of violence if BBL fails. He, however, revealed that he has reached out to Muslim leaders in an effort to avert violence.“I told Nur (former ARRM Gov. Misuari) wag muna (not yet),” referring to reports of a possible outbreak if the BBL collapses.
At the same time, Duterte said he intended to talk things over with Murad Ebrahim, chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, who signed the peace agreement with the government after the BBL was drafted.
“It is my dream to see peace in Mindanao,” the mayor stressed, drawing applause from his audience who live in the island most threatened by hostilities.The mayor said he cannot understand why a government will declare war against its own people.
During the open forum, Duterte deflected questions on what it will take for him to run for president. “Sa Department of Interior and Local Government lang ako manilbihan kung (ex-Cong. Benasing) Macarambon becomes president,” he said in jest.
Pressed repeatedly by the different reactors, Duterte eventually relented saying it is not the time to talk about running for president. However, Duterte reiterated what he said in previous forums that if he is President he will declare a revolutionary government “within six months or one year” if he does not get the reforms that he wants. “I will declare it,” he vowed, drawing a thunderous round of applause.
The declared “son of Mindanao” is no longer as adamant about the draft that has started to gain ground all over the country. He has dramatically landed third in recent surveys. It is up to Macarambon to decide whether I should run or not”, the mayor remarked light-heartedly.
The audience, which like him missed lunch cheered the almost one-hour extemporaneous speech of Duterte.
Heading home to prepare for another speaking engagement in Cotabato City, Duterte experienced vertigo. He apologized to his audience in Cotabato but promised to fulfill his engagement soon. (Jerry Dureza)
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