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[av_heading heading=’Surprise! Duterte ‘joins’ Dinagyang’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
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Monday, January 23, 2017
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ILOILO City – President Rodrigo Duterte turned down the city government’s invitation to grace Dinagyang Festival but believe it or not, he still “joined” the premier celebration of the city he branded the “most shabu-lized” in the country.
“I join the people of Iloilo City in honoring your patron, Señor Sto. Niño, as you celebrate this year’s Dinagyang Festival,” read part of the President’s message to the people of Iloilo City published in Panay News yesterday.
According to the President, Dinagyang “underscores our unshakeable faith in the Child Jesus and our warmth and enthusiasm as Filipinos demonstrated through the parade of dances and songs.”
In August last year, the President described Iloilo the “most shabu-lized”, referring to shabu or methamphetamine hydrochloride, a popular illegal drug. He made no mention of it in his Dinagyang message.
According to the President, Dinagyang “is also a celebration of the famed Ilonggo hospitality that forms part of the vibrant Filipino spirit that captivates the attention of the world.”
He congratulated the Ilonggos “for adding their contribution to the landscape of the country’s celebrations by making Dinagyang a much awaited religious and cultural event” even as just this Jan. 11 during his meeting with the country’s mayors in Malacañang, he reiterated his accusation linking Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog to illegal drugs.
According to City Tourism Officer Junel Ann Divinagracia, the President had a very hectic schedule and could not make it to Iloilo City.
In his message, Duterte said it is “truly uplifting to see the various schools competing to represent the barangays dancing and moving in patterns; accented by chants and energized drum beats; and infused by an inherent solemn observance of the Christian faith.”
But more importantly, he stressed, Dinagyang “is an invitation to see the world through the eyes of the child – with hope amid despair; with clarity instead of doubt; and with pure wonder instead of resignation to the temptation of darkness and fear.”
Meanwhile, Mabilog seeks a meeting with the President, according to his spokesperson Atty. Mark Piad.
But as to when, Piad said, the city mayor has yet to discuss with him the details of the plan.
Mabilog wanted to prove to the President that the information he had on the city mayor is not true.
During a speech in August last year, Duterte recalled that when he was still campaigning for president in Iloilo, the people were “almost (desperately)” asking help from him, saying, “Mayor, ang droga.”
“Just pray. Just pray that I will win, and maybe, in the fullness of God’s time, I would take care of this problem,” he recalled saying in response./PN
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