By Junex Doronio
MANILA — “Look who’s talking.”
This was the gist of the reactions of Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez and Tingog Party-list Representative Jude Acidre to the claim of feisty former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte that he was a victim of “political persecution.”
The Tacloban local chief executive, who is a cousin of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, said the Taclobanons would rather gather to celebrate the feast of Santo Niño than listen to the “blasphemous” protests led by Duterte.
“There are many religious people here. They know there will be cussing. They don’t want that,” Romualdez said.
It can be recalled that during the height of his popularity, Duterte cursed and called God “stupid” because of the biblical story about the creation of Adam and Eve.
Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre echoed Romualdez’s apprehension, saying there were more curses than prayers in previous rallies led by Duterte.
In an open letter addressed to Taclobanons, Duterte charged the Marcos administration with efforts to stop the holding of the Maisug rally, which was initially slated for May 25 at the Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Plaza.
“As part of the Marcos administration’s policy of stifling peaceful dissent, they are doing everything to prevent this rally from happening,” Duterte ranted.
Mayor Romualdez, husband of former sexy star Cristina Gonzales, is also a cousin of the President.
He denied Duterte’s allegations, saying the event was canceled due to the onslaught of Typhoon Aghon.
(el Amigo/MNM)