Several Filipino businessmen, who believe that a crime-free, drug-free, corruption-free and rebellion-free Philippines is good for business, have pledged to raise an initial P1 billion to help fund the Presidential campaign of Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte.
Calling themselves “Anonymous Patriots for Peaceful and Progressive Philippines” or AP4, the businessmen said they believe that by helping Duterte win the Presidency, they would be showing their patriotism.
“There will be no strings attached. They will not even allow their names to be published,” said businessman Benigno Gopez, who has agreed to be the spokesman for the group most of whom are his friends.
Gopez, a former waiter at the canteen of the University of Santos Tomas who later became a successful businessman, said the decision to pledge P1-B for Duterte’s campaign came after members of AP4 learned that the Davao City Mayor refused to receive campaign funds from traditional political funders.
“Mayor Duterte’s firm belief that the leader of this country must not be beholden to anybody or any interest group has earned the admiration of AP4,” Gopez said.
Gopez said the P1-B pledge could just be the start a nation-wide effort by ordinary Filipinos to support the Duterte Presidency.
“Many more are willing to contribute to Rody Duterte’s campaign kitty. These are ordinary businessmen who do not even have business transactions with any government agency,” Gopez said.
“Do we really want a President who is not beholden to anybody but only to the Filipino people? AP4 believes we should do our part,” Gopez said.
Gopez, speaking on behalf of AP4 said, the group could help raise additional funds for Duterte.
“Look, if only 500,000 patriotic Filipinos would contribute P10,000 each, we could easily raise P5-B. That would be more than enough to help Duterte win the Presidency,” he said.
While the estimated cost of running a Presidential campaign is pegged at between P6-B to P8-B, Duterte’s campaign is not expected to cost that much because most of his local political leaders are not dependent on the traditional party funding.
Earlier, people’s groups initiated symbolic fund-raising campaigns for Duterte highlighted by the Piso Para sa Presidente effort by young Muslim professionals in Cotabato City earlier this month.
Overseas Filipino Workers, including Filipinos living in the United States, Australia, Canada and Europe, have also committed to contribute to the Duterte campaign.
US-based journalist Winchell Campos, who is also the publicist for boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, said the Dollar for Duterte Campaign could be launched anytime.
Salinas, California resident Sam Mante, a Fil-Am who traces his roots in Bohol Province, said he and his friends are willing to raise $100 each to contribute to Duterte’s presidency.
“If we are able to pull this through, this will be the first time that the country would truly have a People’s President,” Gopez said.
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