FROM now on, prayer vigils for the release of former President Rodrigo Duterte will be held at the barangay level.
This was announced Thursday (June 19) by Councilor Joyleen Mercedes Balaba during the 100th day of Duterte’s arrest.
After winning reelection last May, Balaba immediately flew to the Hague to visit Duterte who has been detained there since March.
Balaba is the local chair of PDP, the party of the former President who currently sits as its chair.
The two-term councilor said that it would be easier for Duterte supporters to join the prayer vigils in their own barangay.
This Saturday (June 21), the prayer vigil dubbed Green Rise Action will be held at Barangay 26.
There will be lighting of candles and cell phones, blowing of car horns, speeches from Duterte supporters and bands singing patriotic songs.
In a related development, Balaba said she is optimistic that the International Criminal Court (ICC) will grant interim release to Duterte before his next hearing on September.
Balaba said an ICC member-country is willing to host him temporarily.
Facing crimes against humanity, Duterte is recently elected mayor of Davao City, a post he held before becoming President in 2016 to 2022.
