House leaders have condemned the string of “prayer rallies for peace” headlined by former President Rodrigo Duterte and other critics of the Marcos administration, calling it a thinly-veiled smear campaign.
“The fact that they are calling it a peace rally is a bit ironic,” said Deputy Majority Leader and Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino Dy V.
“It’s all about insults, destruction of our current administration… they’re not even offering any other solutions to what they’re saying or the problems,” he added.
It was during one of these prayer rallies that Duterte accused his successor of drug addiction.
At a prayer rally in Manila, former congressman Glenn Chong threatened to slap First Lady Liza Marcos-Araneta.
During another prayer rally in Tagum City, former Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez urged the Armed Forces of the Philippines to withdraw support from the President over his handling of the issue in the West Philippine Sea.
In another prayer rally in Dumaguete, former presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that Vice President Sara Duterte is the country’s “true president.”
“If we listen to what is being said, the words being uttered on the stage are far from their desire to have peace,” Deputy Majority Leader and Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said.
Acidre said it would be more productive to focus on addressing issues and providing solutions to the country’s challenges instead of resorting to negative propaganda.
In a press conference in January, former President Duterte said only “stupid people” will link him to destabilization efforts against the administration as he urged Filipinos to observe the rule of law.
Asked if he is satisfied with the Marcos administration, Duterte said then: “In a sense, we have not seen any issue of corruption or abuse. In a sense, Marcos is treading a straight path.”
“I can’t say there is a need for change or anything. I do not see any need for agitation — nothing,” he added.