Over 10,000 Expected at PDP-Laban Rally in Iloilo

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

More than 10,000 supporters from across Panay Island are expected to converge in Iloilo City today, April 25, for the grand rally of the Duterte-led Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

The event will begin with a motorcade around 3 p.m. at Jaro Plaza, snaking through major city districts before culminating at La Paz Public Plaza, where the grand rally will start at 6 p.m.

Transportation and Traffic Management Office (TTMO) head Uldarico Garbanzos told Daily Guardian that organizers anticipate at least 200 motorcycles and four-wheeled vehicles to join the motorcade.

He said traffic enforcers will assist at key points, but event organizers were instructed to provide their own motorcycle marshals.

“The traffic corners were already identified, and there will be a deployment of traffic enforcers until they arrive at La Paz plaza,” he said Thursday.

The motorcade will follow an extensive route from Jaro Plaza to La Paz Plaza, passing through Washington Street, Lopez Jaena, Benigno Aquino Avenue, Q. Abeto, R. Mapa, Yulo Drive, and Rizal Street.

To ensure smooth traffic flow, TTMO will implement a traffic management plan starting at 1 p.m. today.

“We are ready for the deployment and for the placement of ambulant vendors, on-site parking, and off-site parking,” Garbanzos added.

TTMO advised the public to expect moderate to heavy traffic in major districts and urged commuters and motorists to take alternate routes and expect delays.

The PDP-Laban senatorial slate, dubbed the “Duter-Ten,” includes Bong Go, Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, Jimmy Bondoc, Raul Lambino, Philip Salvador, Jayvee Hinlo, Rodante Marcoleta, Apollo Quiboloy, Vic Rodriguez, and Richard Mata.

All are backed by former president Rodrigo Duterte.

The former president is currently in the custody of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, for alleged crimes against humanity.

The rally was originally scheduled for March 1 but was postponed due to what PDP-Laban cited as “conflicting national and local sortie schedules” of the candidates.