MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – When Philippine President Rodrigo Dutere delivers his Fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) before Congress on Monday, Opposition groups will be rallying outside, wearing blue t-shirts to represent the color of the West Philippine Sea.
The administration’s stance on the PH-China row over the Spratleys has become the rallying point of the protesters this year.
But the blues will not be alone. They will be met by another group wearing rainbow-colored t-shirts and carrying rainbow flags. The group belongs to a national coalition of Filipino LGBTs and their allies. They will stage a counter-rally in support of Duterte.
A spkesperson for the LGBT group told The Adobo Chronicles that they consider the President as one of their own. In a recent speech during a foreign visit, Duterte told his audience he used to be gay but that he cured himself after he married his now ex-wife, Elizabeth Zimmerman.
So come Monday, the streets of Metro Manila will bask in a sea of colors — blue, yellow black, white… and rainbow.