Supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday held a rally at Rizal Park demanding the ouster of Vice President Leni Robredo.
The rally called “Palit Bise” (Change the VP) was led by several personalities who are vocal critics of Robredo on social media including Mocha Uson, singer Jimmy Bondoc, and lawyer Bruce Rivera.
Rivera is part of a group of Robredo’s critics who are preparing impeachment complaint against her.
The supporters at the rally, which was held at the Quirino Grandstand, brought posters and streamers that called for Robredo’s impeachment or resignation.
Some of the rallyists were carrying slogans “Stop Shaming Duterte.”
Others showed support for Duterte’s planned shift to federalism.
Organizers said the rally was not funded by politicians.
However, they said this was funded with donations from Duterte supporters that exceeded $46,000 or P2.3 million.
The rally was held despite Duterte’s pronouncement that efforts for Robredo’s impeachment must stop.
Several of Duterte’s supporters—including House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez—are keen on pursuing the impeachment of the vice president.
Threats to impeach Robredo came after the release of her controversial video message, played at a side session organized in line with the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs annual meeting.
The recorded message was linked to efforts to oust Duterte, with supporters pointing out it was released a day before the filing of an impeachment complaint against him.
Robredo, who has repeatedly denied involvement in any ouster plot, is currently in South Africa for a series of conferences organized by the Friedrich Neumann Foundation.