CinemaBravo

A growing wave of support for Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro was evident as more than 6,000 Marikeños gathered at Liwasang Kalayaan in Marikina Heights on the third day of rallies.

The movement has gained significant momentum since the first day, when 1,500 individuals convened at Marikina Freedom Park for a prayer vigil, denouncing the Ombudsman’s six-month preventive suspension order against Teodoro.

Before the main program commenced, participants organized a unity walk and a motorcade, urging passing motorists to honk their horns as a sign of solidarity with the embattled mayor.

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.