Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan will hold a thanksgiving rally at the Ateneo de Manila University grounds on Friday.
The venue was originally set at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. However, the local government revoked its application for a permit.
The thanksgiving gathering is dubbed “Tayo Ang Liwanag: Isang Pasasalamat” by Robredo’s camp.
“Bagamat ikinalulungkot namin ito, iginagalang namin ang pasya ng lokal na pamahalaan. Nananabik kaming makasama ang mga kaibigan, kapwa-volunteer, supporter, at kapwa Pilipino sa Ateneo grounds bukas,” their camp said.
The QC government said they rejected the request because of a possible “significant risk” to public safety to be brought about by the unexpected number of people attending.
“The QC-DPOS (Department of Public Order and Safety) explained that the presence of an enormous crowd (without the benefit of a previously-arranged crowd control plan) on a weekday would cause massive traffic jams, countless stranded commuters, and a significant risk to overall public safety. Given this, the pending request for the event was not granted, and the organizers understood and respected their decision,” it said.
Based on the partial, unofficial tally of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Robredo is in second place, following leading presidential bet Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. — Ronald Espartinez