Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) – The camp of presidential aspirant Rodrigo Duterte denied barring independent candidate Sen. Grace Poe from holding a campaign rally in Davao City, amid reports that the independent candidate was barred from campaigning in Duterte’s bailiwick.
Poe’s camp with running mate sen. Francis Escudero was supposed to hold a campaign rally in the city this week.
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But Duterte’s Spokesperson Peter Laviña said Poe’s organizers did not process their permits on time.
“Their organizers are lazy. They did not do their job. That’s not our fault or the city government of Davao’s fault,” Laviña said in a statement on Saturday (February 27).
He added the local government of Davao City does not curtail the public’s freedom to use public spaces.
“Davao City is known for its respect and tolerance to groups and people who want to exercise their freedom and use public spaces to protest and express grievances or political views or religious beliefs peacefully,” said Laviña.
According to Laviña, rally permits in Davao City are usually processed within a day. Organizers need to coordinate with rescue and traffic officials and pay P150 for the use of electricity.
“It is unfortunate that the senator’s camp is twisting the facts, making it appear like a permit was not granted because of politics,” Laviña said.
