Duterte backers call out Rama

CEBU, Philippines — Core supporters in the Visayas of former President Rodrigo Duterte slammed local politicians who are taking advantage of the current clamor to gain political leverage, naming former Mayor Michael Rama as an example.

Yesterday, the Visayas core supporters of the former president held a press conference to air their grievances, which, according to them, stemmed from a movement calling to “bring Duterte home.”

While there were multiple movements organized by politicians and local leaders, some gatherings did not sit well with Duterte’s core supporters.

Edward Mendres, former Provincial president of PDP Laban in Cebu in 2016, introduced their team as the core members of the Duterte supporters in the Visayas.

Mendres stressed that before the “politicians” took over the leadership roles, their group had been behind the Visayas movement that contributed to Duterte’s national victory.

He said he also served as the Regional Coordinator for the UniTeam in 2022. The UniTeam electoral alliance was formed to support the candidacies of now-President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and now-Vice President Sara Duterte in the 2022 elections. However, he emphasized that he took the post to support the female Duterte.

During the press conference, Mendres was also joined by the founder of the Duterte Riders Team Philippines, Moises Garcia Deiparine, who is among the brains behind the recent series of caravans.

With this history, Mendres pleaded with politicians to prevent the current clamor and uproar of support from being associated with their own political desires.

“Gusto unta nila nga ipaabot nga ang kalihokan sa panahon karon, ang kawsa ni Presidente Duterte, dili unta gamiton sa pamolitika,” said Mendres.

According to him, they understand that there was an outcry among the people to support Duterte, which was even joined by other political party alliances. He added that this showed the “authenticity” of their stance.

However, he said they draw the line at politicians who take the podium to present their own interests, which appears to be campaigning.

“Motungtong na gani sa entablado, mangampanya na para sa iyang personal interest, malubog man gud ang kawsa,” he said.

He stressed that they are not closing their doors to politicians who want to join their cause but asked them to join as “Filipino citizens,” not as politicians.

“Ayaw gamita ang kining mga kalihokan para sa inyong mga personal na interests,” said Mendres, a resident and voter of Cebu City, who cited Rama as an example.

“Si Mayor Mike, nigamit man sad na siya, iya sang gigamit sa iyang kampanya karon. Pero basically, si Mayor Mike, diin man siya pagsugod sa 2016?” said Mendres.

“Prangka-prangka nga pagkaistorya, ato lang ni i-prangka nga pagkaistorya,” he added.

Mendres recalled that during the 2016 campaign period, they campaigned for Rama at the community level to show support for his mayoral race against former Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

However, he said that it was during that same time when posters showing support for Rama and Duterte were removed and replaced with “Binay.” In 2016, he further recalled, they requested Rama to stand on their campaign podium, but he did not show up.

“Karon di na to gamiton nga mag pa Digong-digong ta kay popular ang kawsa sa president,” he added.

Mendres, who addressed Rama as his friend, further appealed to prevent such utilization of the supporters’ call for his political will, cautioning him that it may backfire.

According to Mendres, this appeal was prompted by what transpired during the Unity Walk held in Plaza Independencia on March 15, 2025.

It can be remembered that Rama and Cebu gubernatorial candidate Pam Baricuatro led a solidarity mass and interfaith activity at the Mabolo Church in Cebu City to show support for the former president.

According to Mendres, there were supposed to be more people willing to join the movement but were disheartened by the participation of politicians.

“Pagsulti nag ani (politicians), ang mga tawo nang lakaw na, dili man sila ganahan gud nga sakyan na,” he said.

According to him, what the people are seeking is “authentic” leadership.

He also encouraged the public to research which politicians supported Duterte when he ran for the presidency and eventually won.

When asked if their group feels the same about Baricuatro’s appearance, Mendres refused to comment but admitted that they had already appealed to her to prevent politicizing their cause.

They also admitted that after Duterte’s victory, the leadership of the PDP Laban party realigned, replacing him from his post.

In line with this, Mendres encouraged all other politicians to join their activities moving forward, show their support, but to remove their political hats. He stressed that they have no affiliations with any local political parties.

This Friday, in honor of the former president’s birthday, Mendres said they are set to hold an event to support the cause that still stands in support of Duterte.

“To support to bring back the president, focus on that messaging. Ayaw sumpayi nga nangampanya ka para sa imong kaugalingon kay maka turn off man sa mga tawo,” said Mendres, addressing the local politicians in Cebu.

Duterte is now under the custody of the International Criminal Court as of March 12 to face charges of crimes against humanity. It can be remembered that while formally making a stand of support for Duterte, Rama also declared that he would lead the opposition for Visayas Regions 6, 7, and 8, but clarified that he would not hit the streets.

To recall, the former president endorsed Rama’s mayoral bid in the May 2022 elections.

Rama also declared that even if the former president is now far away, he will continue to “stand, defend, and fight,” stressing that there seems to be a “blatant absence” of the rule of law in Duterte’s arrest.

As for the recent allegation of the Duterte core group, Rama denies that he is politicizing his support for Duterte and instead emphasized the necessity of unity among supporters. Rama also downplayed internal disputes, asserting that the ultimate goal is Duterte’s return to the country.

According to Rama in an interview with the media last night, the people behind these accusations do not understand the chronology of his relationship with Duterte.

“Wala na sila kabalo, how, ng ana close ming Digong,” Rama emphasized.

Rama brought up the concern on the lack of direct communication between the rally organizers and the former president, VP Sara Duterte, and other political figures.

“Wala man sila kahibalo unsay gipang istoryahan sa ibabaw,” said Rama.

He added that nationally, they have already discussed this matter, noting that it isn’t an issue that this camp should be handling.

“I don’t want to be arguing with them, but they should be more circumspect,” said Rama.

As for Baricuatro, her camp has stressed that she has been an advocate and strong supporter of Duterte long before he became president.

But the camp of the gubernatorial candidate stressed that despite the allegations, what's important is the support for the former president.

"At this moment, given sa situation ni PRRD, it is a welcome development na daghan nag show og support for the well-being of Tatay Digong. It shows na all walks of life, Duterte gihapon ang ilang shagit. Bottomline with the Duterte Brand we all have the same vision for the betterment of Cebu and the Philippines in general," Baricuatro's camp said. — /ATO (FREEMAN)