| Demonstrations in support of Rodrigo Duterte | |
|---|---|
| Date | January 13, 2025 – present |
| Location | Worldwide (primarily in the Philippines) |
| Caused by |
|
| Goals |
|
| Methods | |
| Status | Ongoing |
| ||
|---|---|---|
Incumbent Political campaigns
Policies Early political career
| ||
A series of protests are taking place across thePhilippines in response to thearrest of Rodrigo Duterte, a former president, by the Philippine government. Protests began on March 11, 2025, the day of Duterte's arrest and subsequent surrender to theInternational Criminal Court inThe Hague,Netherlands via a government-charteredGulfstream G550 jet that departed Manila at 23:03 PHT (UTC+08:00).
Duterte was arrested amid an escalating feud between theMarcos andDutertepolitical families,[1] although PresidentBongbong Marcos himself expressed melancholy regarding the arrest. Analysts have described Duterte's arrest and surrender to the ICC as remarkably quick and trouble-free, as well as a victory for the Marcos faction in their feud with the Dutertes.[2][3][4][5]
With less than two years in office, more Filipinos have become dissatisfied with the administration of Bongbong Marcos, according to the survey conducted byPublicus Asia from November 29 to December 4, 2023. Economic concerns, rising inflation, joblessness, low wages, and a perceived lack of productivity are some of the emerging factors behind the drop in pro-administration support. The survey also noted that the "Duterte effect" still persists, with opposition parties grappling with the discreditation of the previous administration.[6] By 2025, a new survey by Publicus Asia showed growing anti-admin sentiment, and a growing pessimism about the country's state, leadership direction, and economic and financial outlook. Pro-administration support dropped steeply from 28% in Q1 2024 to 15% in Q1 2025. Meanwhile, the national outlook is at its weakest since 2022, with all economic indicators on a decline.[7]
Other anti-government protests were also held in relation to the alleged corruption in the 2025 national budget, PhilHealth budget cuts and theimpeachment of Sara Duterte.
The National Rally for Peace were a series of demonstrations organized on January 13, 2025, led by theIglesia ni Cristo in support of the statement of PresidentBongbong Marcos in opposition to theimpeachment efforts against Vice PresidentSara Duterte. It was primarily held at theQuirino Grandstand inManila on January 13, 2025. Other cities or municipalities served as secondary venues.[8][9][10]
At least 20,000 people protested against the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte inMandaue,Cebu.[11]
A series of motorcade were held in different parts ofMetro Manila, culminating in a prayer rally atLiwasang Bonifacio inErmita,Manila.[12] It was attended by around 2,000 people.[12][13] Among those who were present in the rally areApollo Quiboloy, the controversial pastor and founder ofKingdom of Jesus Christ, as well as SenatorsBong Go andRonald "Bato" dela Rosa, all of whom were critical of the Marcos administration.[13]
On March 16, during the annual celebration of theAraw ng Dabaw (lit. 'Day of Davao'), thousands of citizens ofDavao City marched the city's street wearing black in protest of Duterte's arrest. The citizens also called for Duterte to be repatriated back to the Philippines.[14]
Thousands ofOverseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from across Europe gathered atThe Hague for a peaceful rally to protest the arrest and detention of Duterte, which was viewed as an attack on Philippine sovereignty and they called for Duterte's release.[15]
On March 28, during the birthday of Rodrigo Duterte, thousands of citizens ofDavao City took to the streets to celebrate his birthday and protests his arrest. An estimated 60,000-100,000 crowd were present at the protests.[16][17]
Police also blocked a convoy of at least 100 motorcycle riders nearMalacañang Palace in the capital cityManila, who were brandishing posters that reads "Bring Him Home".[17]
In Qatar, several Filipinos were arrested by the Qatari authorities for unauthorized political demonstrations.[18][19]
In Canada, theArchdiocese of Montreal revoked its permission to use Roman Catholic churches in its jurisdiction for gatherings in support of Duterte due to accusation of human rights violations by Duterte as well as his prior contemptuous remarks against the church. Gatherings were moved to other venues such as the Mackenzie King Park.[20]
Overseas Filipino Workers are organizing a protest called "zero remittance week" from March 28 to April 4 to show their disapproval of Duterte's arrest.[21] Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson Claire Castro appealed to the OFW Duterte supporters to be "level-headed" and more "understanding" to the situation, as the Philippine government is only complying with its obligations to the international community.[21][22]
On August 9, celebrityVice Ganda held a concert at theAraneta Coliseum where he lampooned theArrest of Rodrigo Duterte, his pre-election promise to ride a jetski toScarborough Shoal in light of theSouth China Sea disputes using the recently trending "Nothing beats a Jet2 Holiday" meme.[23] Supporters of Duterte reacted negatively, with calls to boycott endorsements of Vice Ganda includingMcDonald's.[24][25] RepresentativeLeila de Lima posted a picture of herself with McDonald's breakfast a few days later, referencing the meme.[25]
Duterte supporters gathered at Liwasang Bonifacio, amid theflood control projects scandal in the Philippines, carrying Philippine flags with "Marcos Resign" protest signs. They calling for the resignation of President Bongbong Marcos, and headed toMendiola, intending to move their rally to nearbyMalacañang Palace, but halted their march due to the rioters fromBaha sa Luneta alongRecto.[26][27] At EDSA, tense scene unfolded at theTrillion Peso March on EDSA when supporters of former president Rodrigo Duterte and Vice President Sara Duterte clashed with the anti-corruption protesters.[28]
The Duterte-aligned groups, Reforma Filipina and Hakbang ng Maisug, said they respected the decision of INC organizers and instead moved their assembly toLiwasang Bonifacio, where they continued to rally over separate issues including flooding in Quezon City’s fifth district.[29]
I'll take your 'relatively smooth' and double it up to 'as smooth as it could have possibly gone.' Can you imagine? My goodness.... The mighty, bulletproof, airtight, teflon Rodrigo Roa Duterte, naisakay niyo sa eroplano within 24 hours and flew him out of the country? Wow[...]
| ||||||||||||
| Presidency |
| .jpg)  | ||||||||||
| Elections | ||||||||||||
| Family |
| |||||||||||
| Political affiliation | ||||||||||||
| Related | ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
| Presidency |
| .jpg) | ||||||||||
| Elections | ||||||||||||
| Family |
| |||||||||||
| Political affiliation | ||||||||||||
| Related | ||||||||||||
.jpg)
.svg)
