HOUSE leaders emphasized the need for Vice President Sara Duterte to be cautious about attending a “prayer rally” that transformed into a highly charged anti-government protest; one congressman highlighted the significance of exercising discretion in such situations.
House Deputy Speaker and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David “Jay-jay” Suarez said the Vice President and other high-ranking government officials should exercise caution in selecting which events to attend to prevent sending conflicting signals.
“I think we need to be a little bit more prudent and proper in deciding what events to attend pagdating sa ganoong usapin,” Suarez said in response to a question during the regular daily press conference at the House of Representatives.
The Vice President drew criticism for attending a “prayer rally” in Manila last week in support of her friend, self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” Apollo Quiboloy, who is facing allegations of human trafficking and sexual abuse.
However, the event took a sharp turn, morphing into an anti-government rally characterized by invectives and threats directed at the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.
At the time, Duterte, who also serves as the Education Secretary, was acting as the caretaker President as Marcos was on a working visit abroad.
Suarez underscored the importance of unity and collaboration within the Marcos administration, cautioning against sending conflicting signals.
“I think siguro sa mga susunod na mga pagkakataon malaman din natin iyong mga dinadaluhan natin kasi siyempre kita niyo naman iyong tenor nung prayer rally na iyon,” Suarez pointed out.
He continued, “I think very strong iyong anti-administration sentiment at isinisigaw ng mga indibidwal na nandoon. Of course, being part of the cabinet of President Bongbong Marcos, it sends the wrong signal especially for me kasi ipinaglaban natin kaya sila parehas nanalo dahil sa unity.”
Similarly, I-RIDER Party-List Rep. Rodge Gutierrez emphasized the need for careful consideration of the messaging conveyed by attending such rallies.
“Of course, I cannot speak for anyone else but myself on this matter. We respect everyone’s right to freedom of expression,” Gutierrez pointed out.
“I suppose the attendance of certain personalities at the rally could always be construed as a personal exercise of that right. But given the positions that we are in, we have to consider of course the intricacies that are involved,” he added.
He expressed hope that next time, government officials consider the messaging that their attendance might promote, especially given the statements made in that rally.
“When one attends rally and statements are made, though you might not personally agree to it, your mere attendance might be misconstrued by other people,” he pointed out.
