Supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte vehemently denied the allegations that they were given money for taking part in rallies to support the embattled vice president.
More than a hundred of Duterte supporters gathered at the EDSA Shrine in Ortigas Avenue Quezon City since Tuesday to show their support to Duterte amid the congressional probe on the alleged misuse of her confidential funds.
Datu Teng Oma, a Duterte supporter from Cavite said they used their own money in going to the rally site and that they are not being paid for their participation.
“Hindi kami nagpapabayad dito sariling pera namin ang aming gamit, naubusan na nga ako ng pera pauwi pero ok lang basta matulungan lang namin sya sa mga kasong sa palagay namin ay hindi naman totoo”. Oma said.
Jovelyn Bayeta, a diehard Duterte supporter from North Cotabato denied the allegations that they were paid for their participation.
Bayeta said her sister who works in Egypt paid for her plane ticket from Mindanao to Manila.
“Bumiyahe ako galing Mindanao dahil isa din ako sa sumusuporta kay Inday Sara Duterte at kahit isang buwan pa ako dito ay ok lang” Bayeta said.
Prior to this, the Philippine National Police (PNP) presented to the media several videos which showed the supporters allegedly being transported and paid to join the rallies.
PNP Spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said there was also a logbook of those who allegedly received money.
The reports said supporters were allegedly promised with P500 but some complained they only got P200.
Abner is an award-winning journalist. He received the prestigious 2015 Titus Brandsma Award for Community Communication in the Philippines and participated in the 2016 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the United States of America, sponsored by the US Embassy in the Philippines. Founder of WATCH NORTH COTABATO, a media-citizens’ transparency group. He worked as a correspondent for the Philippine Daily Inquirer and CNN Philippines. His experience in broadcasting includes anchoring for Brigada News FM in Kidapawan and General Santos City and Brigada News TV. He anchors Tira Brigada via 105.1 Brigada News FM Manila, Mondays-Saturdays.