Chavit, others, hope for Duterte’s release

CEBU, Philippines — Former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson and other supporters expressed hopes that former president Rodrigo Duterte will eventually regain his freedom.

In a brief interview, Singson, who was in Cebu yesterday to attend a wedding, underscored his support for Duterte, saying he remains hopeful about the former president’s situation.

“I hope that former president Rodrigo Duterte will eventually be freed,” Singson said.

He also invited Duterte supporters to join the concert organized by the Cebu Alliance for Duterte 2028 at Plaza Independencia last night as part of the former president’s 81st birthday celebration.

The concert gathered a thousand supporters and political allies as of press time yesterday with five times that number expected as the concert goes on.

Singson, a longtime political figure, remains influential in national and local political circles, with his statements and appearances continuing to draw public attention.

Dr. Winley dela Fuente, the organizer of the event and presiding officer of the Cebu Alliance for Duterte 2028, a coalition of all DDS supporters in Cebu, thanked those who watched the concert.

The concert featured local bands including Emping, Cookies, Phylum, Powerspoonz, Mantequilla, Bipolar Band, Dax Martin and AJ, Station Avenue, No U-Turn, and Ruthless Seven.

Dela Fuente is likewise hopeful Duterte, currently detained at The Hague in The Netherlands, will eventually be released from prison.

Meanwhile, the “Tay Kami Naman” signature campaign continues at the venue.

The campaign is an initiative seeking to compel the Supreme Court to rule on the legality of the arrest and transfer of Duterte from The Hague to Philippine jurisdiction.

The initiative aims to gather public support to urge the Supreme Court to resolve pending cases questioning the Philippine government’s cooperation with the International Criminal Court. — (FREEMAN)