SENATOR Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go appealed for prayers for former President Rodrigo Duterte during Duterte’s 81st birthday celebration in Davao City on Saturday, March 28.
“More than a father to me” was how Go remembered FPRRD during the event at San Pedro Square to conclude the “Solidarity Walk” attended by thousands of Duterte supporters.
“Pakiusap ko lang po sa inyo, ipagdasal po natin si Tatay Digong. Huwag tayong tumigil sa pagdasal sa kanyang kaligtasan, kalusugan, at kalayaan,” Go told supporters.
Go said the 81st birthday of FPRRD is one of the “loneliest” birthdays for the president as he is in a foreign country, celebrating it alone.
This is the second birthday of FPRRD since he was arrested on March 11, 2025, and brought to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands, on the same day.
It can be noted that Duterte supporters also staged a “Rody at 80: Global Filipino Solidarity” at Roxas Avenue, which gathered an estimated 200,000 crowd.
“Nakakalungkot lang po. Isa ito sa pinakamalungkot na birthday; napalayo po sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.
This year’s “Solidarity Walk” was from Roxas Avenue, passing through CM Recto, and concluded in San Pedro Square.
While the crowd was much smaller this time, the Square was flooded with green colored shirts and banners bearing “Bring Him Home” and “Happy 81st birthday FRRD.”
The confirmation of charges hearing took place from Feb. 23 to 27, 2026, and after hearing the oral submissions of the Prosecutor, the Common Legal Representatives of the Victims and the Defence, the judges heard their respective closing statements.
The confirmation of charges is to determine whether “there is sufficient evidence to establish substantial grounds to believe that the person committed the crimes he or she is suspected of.”
The Chamber will issue its decision on the confirmation of charges within 60 days after the Feb. 27 confirmation hearing. If such charges are confirmed, totally or partly, the case will be transferred to a Trial Chamber.
