DAVAO City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte led the official launch of the Reform Alliance for Accountability, Good Governance, and Ethics (RAGE) Coalition here on Sunday, May 10.
The launch, held in the heart of the “Queen City of the South,” brought together an assembly of veteran kingmakers and former high-ranking officials from across the archipelago.
The event saw the attendance of several heavy hitters in Philippine politics: Luis “Chavit” Singson: Former Ilocos Sur Governor and long-time political strategist; Pantaleon Alvarez: Former House Speaker and current Davao del Norte Representative; Rowena Guanzon: Former Comelec Commissioner known for her outspoken stance on governance; Mike Defensor: Former congressman and cabinet secretary; and Kiko Barzaga: Cavite Representative.
Local Cebuano officials also joined the event, indicating a growing alliance between the Duterte camp and key Visayan stakeholders.
The RAGE Coalition used its inaugural platform to formally announce its opposition to the impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Members of the coalition characterized the impeachment move as a distraction from pressing national issues and an affront to the mandate given to the Vice President in the 2022 elections.
In his address, Mayor Duterte emphasized that RAGE was formed to demand higher standards of accountability from the current administration. The coalition hinted that Sunday’s launch is only the beginning of a nationwide tour intended to “awaken” the public regarding the current state of national governance.
