Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed that she and her allies are organizing the prayer rally in Davao City scheduled on September 21, but clarified she had no knowledge of the demonstrations set in EDSA and Luneta on the same day.
During an interview in Sultan Kudarat on Thursday, the Vice President said that even if she was unaware of the Metro Manila protests, these may serve as a means for the government to listen to the Filipino people.
“If this helps the government listen to us? I hope so. That is our collective prayer, right? Because we do not want chaos,” Duterte said in Filipino.
“We don’t want people to go out on the streets because it disrupts not only their lives but also those who are not participating. However, perhaps this is the way to be heard,” she added.
The Vice President likewise confirmed that she will leave for Tokyo and Nagoya, Japan, from September 20 to 21, coinciding with the protests.
“This event cannot be postponed, as it benefits the nation by addressing both corruption and the call for the release of former president Rodrigo Duterte from the International Criminal Court,” Sara said.
She previously attended the opening ceremony of the 8th Davao Investment Conference and the 27th Davao Agri Trade Expo in Davao City on Thursday.
