Duterte arrives in Cebu for private thanksgiving party

PRESIDENT-elect Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Cebu Wednesday to attend the thanksgiving party organized by a private group that helped him in his campaign.

Incoming Cabinet secretaries, bloggers and businessmen were among the 280 guests who joined the private party at the Cebu Country Club along Governor Mariano Cuenco Avenue in Barangay Banilad, Cebu City at past 6 p.m.

They include incoming Secretaries Alfonso Cusi and Vitaliano Aguirre III of the Departments of Energy and Justice respectively, incoming House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Sen. Alan Peter Cateyano and former Cebu governor Emilio “Lito” Osmeña.

The other guests included local businessmen like Chito Clavano and Johnny Paras, the Veloso clan and Duterte family from Danao City, said Jonjie Gonzalez of the Bisaya Napud Movement.

Although the Duranos of Danao were related to the incoming President-elect, Gonzalez said only those who helped in the campaign were invited to the event like Osmeña.

The Duranos supported the presidential bid of Sen. Grace Poe.
Gonzalez said the two-hour event was not for media coverage.

“There will be Cebu lechon definitely. We will be serving wine. There will be a short entertainment. It will be an informal affair. No media,” Gonzalez said.

Among the performers was incoming presidential son, Sebastian Duterte, Cebuana singer Anna Fegi, Kurt Fick, first Sinulog Idol Champion Jacqueline Chang, and other Visayan singers.

Michael Dino, Bisaya na Pud Movement co-founder and incoming Presidential Assistant for the Visayas; and Cayetano, Duterte’s running mate, were expected to deliver a message.

But Gonzalez said the party would end after Duterte had delivered his message.

“Then there would be a photo-op after the party with the group,” he said.