Screengrab from Rody Duterte

The Duterte family, including former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, gathered for a “prayer rally” at the Hakbang ng Maisug event on Sunday, January 28, 2024, expressing their opposition to the ongoing signature drive for a People's Initiative to amend the Constitution.

Mayor Baste Duterte took the opportunity to address the crowd in Bisaya, directing a message to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., calling for his resignation. "Mr. President, kung wala kay gugma, kung wala ka aspirations sa imohang nasud, resign. (If you do not have love or aspirations for your country, resign)," Mayor Duterte declared.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte also spoke at the prayer rally, addressing the current political climate. He stated, "Ako Mr. President, Mam Liza Araneta Marcos, hindi ninyo ako kalaban. Wala akong sinasabi na masama, hindi lang ako makakampanya noon. Alam mo iniiwasan ko ito, itong panahon na ito, ito talaga ang iniwasan ko kasi mapipilitan ako ngayon magsalita. Laban sa mga tao sa Gobyerno."

Duterte continued, expressing his concerns about the potential repercussions of divisive actions within the government. "Mr. President, hindi ako maghingi ng tawad. Kagagawan mo 'yan. It is your responsibility sa sarili mo. What you do in this world finds you. Iyo 'yan, wag mong sisihin ang ibang tao kasi sarili mong utak at katawan 'yan."

In a surprising turn of events, Duterte revealed, "Noong ako'y Mayor, pinakitaan ako ng evidence ng PDEA doon sa listahan. Nandoon yung pangalan mo (President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.). Ayaw kong sabihin 'yan kasi magkaibigan tayo. Hindi man magkaibigan, eh magkakilala. Eh ikaw, eh pumapasok kayo ng alanganin."

The Duterte patriarch cautioned President Marcos Jr., referencing the potential consequences faced by his father. "Mr. President, baka susunod ka sa dinaanan ng tatay mo. Diyan ako takot, ayaw kong mangyari sayo iyan. Ako naman nagmamakaawa kase it will divide the nation at madugo itong panahon na ito."

In response to these claims, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) promptly denied that President Marcos Jr. was ever on its watchlist. The agency emphasized that he was never included in its National Drug Information System (NDIS) since its establishment in 2002. The controversy surrounding the alleged evidence shown to Mayor Duterte during his tenure remains a point of contention amidst the ongoing political discourse in the Philippines