Rodrigo Duterte supporters hoping until the very end

Pia Ranada

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Rodrigo Duterte supporters hoping until the very end

Rob Reyes

'Wala tayong magawa kung ayaw niya pero pinagdarasal ko pa rin, na sana i-touch siya ni Lord,' says a Duterte supporter

MANILA, Philippines – “Kahit siguro buhay ko ialay ko kay Duterte,” says Melvin Salupan, one of Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s supporters waiting in Intramuros. (Maybe even my life, I’d offer to Duterte.)

Against all odds and on the last day of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC), they remain in front of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office hoping the Davao City mayor will show up.

Some of them have come all the way from Tacloban. Some are seafarers who cancelled their duty just to be there. Some are senior citizens.

“‘Yun ang sinasabi pag naniniwala ka sa ginagawa mo. Hindi mo mafi-feel yung pagod, hindi mo mafi-feel yung gutom,” says Ram Samar of the Duterte for President Movement who has stood in front of the Comelec since 7 am of Friday, October 16.

(That’s what they say when you believe in what you are doing. You don’t feel the exhaustion, you don’t feel the hunger.)

He went home at 2 am Friday to finish a prayer vigil for Duterte.

The vigil was held right after Duterte’s aide filed the Davao City mayor’s COC for the same position on October 15. The aide had a message from Duterte: “No means No” printed across his shirt.

Samar said he had “no reaction whatsoever” when he heard the news.

Kasi buong-buo sa puso ko na tatakbo siya bilang presidente (Because I wholeheartedly believe he will run for president),” he tells Rappler.

NOT BACKING DOWN. Duterte supporters have a ready response to the Davao City mayor's recent pronouncements. Photo by Pia Ranada/Rappler

In response to Duterte’s message calling his supporters hard-headed, a new banner was put up in front of Comelec. It reads, “Mayor Duterte kung matigas ang ulo mo, Mas matigas ang ulo namin. Nag iisa ka lang at marami kami.

(Mayor Duterte if you are hard-headed we are more hard-headed. You are just one person and we are many.)

Enduring uncertainty

But supporters have other reasons to hope, says Samar. Many are questioning the “validity” of Duterte’s COC for mayor.

He also says Duterte’s party PDP-Laban (Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan) may have another trick up its sleeves.

“Any member of PDP-Laban can file for presidency right now. Afterwards, there can be a switching of candidates. Duterte can be the substitute. But I think he will file today,” he says in a mix of English and Filipino.

DUTERTE ALL THE WAY. This supporter has a challenge for the Davao City mayor. Photo by Rob Reyes/Rappler

Both Samar and Salupan had their heads shaved to declare their support for the local chief executive.

Like them, the other supporters stand for hours under the sun and drizzle, holding up banners and tirelessly shouting, “Duterte! Duterte!”

They also endure the uncertainty of their day’s mission. Unlike other groups of supporters, they have no idea when their candidate will show up, if he’ll even show up.

Waiting for Rody

What keeps them believing so fervently? Their vision of a Duterte presidency.

“Our system now is rotten and should be changed. You know we need someone with an iron fist,” says another seaman Marcelo Guidaven.

STILL WAITING. Melvin Salupan, a seaman, has his head shaved on October 15, 2015 outside Comelec Intramuros to express his support for a Duterte presidential candidacy. Photo by Alecs Ongcal/Rappler

Duterte has a special place in the heart’s of Guidaven’s seafarers’ group.

Kami mga seafarers pag naglalangoy kami sa dagat hindi kami tahimik sa sarili namin dahil ang pamilya namin ay naiiwan dito sa Pilipinas kaya gusto namin ang security ng aming mga pamilya at saka para sa pagbabago ng Pilipinas.

(We seafarers, when we are at sea, we are not at peace because our families are left in the Philippines. We want the security of our family and change for the Philippines.) 

For Samar, only a Duterte presidency can challenge the problematic status quo.

“Many Filipinos believe only he has the ability to bring true change in the Philippines,” he says.

But what if the day ends without Duterte showing up?

Salupan says: “Wala tayong magawa kung ayaw niya, pero pinagdarasal ko pa rin, na sana i-touch siya ni Lord.

(We can’t do anything if he doesn’t want to, but I am still praying he will be touched by the Lord.) – Rappler.com

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Pia Ranada

Pia Ranada is Rappler’s Community Lead, in charge of linking our journalism with communities for impact.