May 7 Luneta Grand Rally SORRY BACOLOD CITY; I CAN’T MISS HISTORY

By Manny Piñol

The chieftain of the presidential campaign of Rody Duterte, former rebel priest turned Bohol Mayor Jun Evasco, called me up last night to ask me to represent Rody in Bacolod City on May 7, 2016 for the traditional “Miting de Avance,” the last big rally before the elections.

“Mayor Rody cannot possibly make it to Bacolod City for the grand rally. Could you represent him? You would be the best there because you are an Ilonggo and you speak the language,” Mayor Jun said.

I am a good soldier and I would always be willing to do anything to support the candidacy of my friend, Rody Duterte.

But last night, I had to say “No” to Jun Evasco.

“I’m honored to represent the next President in Bacolod City but I am all set for the long drive to Manila to witness the Luneta Grand Rally,” I told him.

“I’m sorry but I cannot miss this historic event,” I told Mayor Jun and I am happy that he understood.

What makes the May 7 Grand Luneta Rally for Duterte historic?

For me, this is the culmination of over two years of relentless and persistent efforts to convince Duterte to consider the presidency and at the same time promote a largely unknown political leader from the South.

In spite of the persistent talks that Duterte had his eyes on the Presidency all along, I am a living witness who could testify that he never really wanted to run.

Now that with God’s grace and protection he could become the 16th President of the Philippines, I am starting to gather my thoughts on what went on in the over two years that the original group of Duterte diehards, Jun Evasco, Bong Go, Bebot Alvarez, Sonny Dominguez, Jess Dureza, Bingbong Medialdia, Paul Dominguez, Pete Laviña, Butch Ramirez, Jun Ledesma and several others laid down the groundwork even if the supposed candidate himself was threatening to shoot anybody who talked about the Presidency.

There are many more names which should be mentioned and so many stories which should be told but this space is just too small for that.

So, this early I am already preparing to launch my efforts for the second book which I intend to write: Rody Duterte Presidency: The Inside Story.

I intend to start writing the book as soon as he is proclaimed after next week’s elections.

But back to the Luneta Grand Rally.

I told Mayor Evasco I cannot miss a historic event because many years from now, when I am old sitting in a rocking chair, I could tell my grandchildren a complete story of a people’s movement, you could even call it a revolution, which pushed the most unlikely person to become President of the Philippines.

The Luneta Event will be the denouement of a national drama where people worked, campaigned, supported and defended a presidential candidate who does not have the money and resources.

Saturday will be history unfolding.

Sorry to my friends in Bacolod City. I love and miss the “Cansi” but the May 7 Luneta Grand Rally is a spectacle that I must see.