More than 6,000 Marikeños gathered at Liwasang Kalayaan in Marikina Heights on the third day of rallies to show their strong support for Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro.
The crowd size more than quadrupled from Day 1, when 1,500 protesters held a prayer vigil at the Marikina Freedom Park to condemn the six-month preventive suspension order issued by the Ombudsman against Teodoro.
Before holding a short program, they held a motorcade and a unity walk where they encouraged motorists to honk their horns as an expression of support for Teodoro.
Private motorists, tricycle drivers, and motorcycle riders also joined the motorcade to show their support for the embattled mayor, who is now running as a representative of the 1st District of Marikina.
“Gusto naming suportahan si Mayor. Gusto naming ipakita sa kanya na hindi kami bayad, na totoong tao kami, na hindi kami dummy account. Sarili naming pera ang ginamit namin para makapunta rito,” a supporter said.
“Sinusuportahan siya ng mga taga-Marikina dahil sa pagmamahal niya sa tao,” she added.
Teodoro received a warm welcome from Marikeños during his motorcade that officially kicked off his campaign.
“Tuloy ang laban. I’m still an eligible candidate,” Teodoro said during a media interview, emphasizing that the election is about the people and their needs, not just the candidates.
“Ang eleksiyon na ito ay hindi tungkol sa kandidato lang. Ang eleksiyon na ito ay tungkol sa tao, kung ano ang kailangan nila, kung ano ang dapat gawin para ang buhay mas maging maayos at maging maginhawa para sa lahat,” he added.
He also claimed that he was denied due process and questioned the timing of the preventive suspension that was issued days before the start of the campaign period for local candidates.
“Kaduda-duda ang nagreklamo. Kaduda-duda ang timing,” he said, adding that the complainant is a known ally of his political opponents.
