An estimated crowd of more than 3,000 supporters from various sectors gathered at the Marikina Freedom Park on Thursday to protest the suspension of Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro.
From 1,500 attendees on the first night, the crowd more than doubled as market vendors, tricycle drivers, workers, and senior citizens joined the prayer vigil in solidarity with Teodoro.
“Kaming mga TODA, hindi pinahirapan ni Mayor (Teodoro). Walang lubak ang mga kalsada natin, at siyempre maliwanag, kaya kahit 24 oras kang mamasada, walang problema,†a tricycle driver said during the short program.
“Lagi po niya (Teodoro) kaming natutulungan, kaming manggagawa. Hindi po sila nagdadalawang isip. Ngayong araw na ito, kami naman po ang tutulong,†a worker declared.
The crowd later sang “Bayan Ko†while holding up lit candles and mobile phones, creating a powerful display of unity and support for the embattled mayor.
Supporters also showed concern for fellow Teodoro backers by distributing free food during the prayer vigil.
The Mayors for Good Governance (M4GG) earlier called for a fair and transparent hearing process regarding Teodoro’s suspension.
“Nananawagan ang Mayors for Good Governance para sa isang makatarungan at malinaw na proseso ng pagdinig ukol sa anim na buwang suspension na ipinataw ng Ombudsman kay Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro,†M4GG said in a statement.
As an organization committed to promoting good governance and combating corruption in government, M4GG expressed confidence that justice and truth will prevail in the matter involving Teodoro, who serves as one of the group’s convenors.
In a statement, Teodoro decried the suspension as “political persecution,†saying it was meant to destroy his reputation, undermine his candidacy as congressman of the 1st District of Marikina, and erode the trust of Marikina residents.
“Ako ay isang biktima ng political persecution. Sa desperadong pagtatangka na sirain ang aking pangalan, nagsampa sila ng maraming gawa-gawang kaso laban sa akin simula pa nung nakaraang taon sa Ombudsman, COA, Comelec, Civil Service, at iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno,†he said.