By Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY – Former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, on Tuesday, March 12, urged all supporters of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, the founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC), The Name Above Every Name, to keep their rally peaceful.
The former president told Pastor Quiboloy’s supporters and followers at the Laban Kasama ang Bayan Prayer Rally at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila to avoid staging a protest near Malacañang Palace to prevent potential disturbances.
“Let us make this rally peaceful in the meantime. Let us just hold a demonstration here. Let’s not go to Malacañang. There are national treasures that might get damaged. Those belonged to the Filipino people, not to them,” Duterte said.
Duterte referred to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his family and allies. He said that all the things within the Malacañang Palace, including artworks and other handiworks, are valuable possessions of the Filipino nation.
He cautioned the demonstrators to avoid any violent confrontation and refrain from provoking the military and police. He added that these individuals are rational and carry out their duties to uphold security and order in their jurisdiction.
Duterte, a trusted friend of the Davao-based preacher, also warned the public to be wary of those advocating for constitutional amendments. He said Marcos and his supporters are pushing for a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) through Congress.
He further cautioned the demonstrators to avoid violent confrontations and avoid provoking the military and police. He added that these individuals are rational and carry out their duties to uphold security and lawfulness in their authority.
“They started conferring with the Constituent Assembly yesterday (Monday, March 11), which is more straightforward as there is no objection,” Duterte said, adding that if the Con-Ass succeeds, things will change, and everyone could suffer a sad life.
Duterte emphasized that only two presidents in history are eager to change the Constitution, and these are Marcos Sr. and Marcos Jr. He said the “certain provisions and other reasons” to amend the Constitution are only their excuses, but the motive is term extension.
There are three ways to amend the 1987 Constitution – first, the Congress acting as a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass); second, through Constitutional Convention (Con-Con); and third, by People’s Initiative changes to the Constitution proposed directly by the citizens through an initiative.
According to the Constitution, Congress, as Con-Ass, has a significant legislative role that belongs to the people. In amending the Constitution, Con-Ass represents the people’s authority. The only restriction is that people can reject Con-Ass’s proposed changes through a referendum.
In attendance during the prayer rally was Vice President and Department of Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, Senator Ronald dela Rosa, Senator Robin Padilla, Attorney Salvador Panelo, and other Duterte supporters from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Pastor Quiboloy is currently confronted with contempt allegations in both houses of Congress for his persistent refusal to cooperate with investigations into him and his religious group, the KOJC. His supporters convened for a prayer rally to express their solidarity with him.
The House committee on legislative franchises issued a contempt charge against the concerned pastor on Tuesday for evading the panel’s appeals and an order summoning him to investigations over purported breaches involving Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI).
The Senate issued a show-cause order, requiring Pastor Quiboloy to justify why he should not face arrest for ignoring its summons to participate in the chamber’s investigation. The pastor then laid down 17 conditions for him to attend the Senate inquiry.