A popular boxer, a former hostage of Iraqi militants, local government executives, and a number of showbiz personalities are among the people at the pro-Arroyo rally in Rizal Park on Saturday afternoon.
Boxer Manny Pacquiao, one of those who arrived early at the Quirino Grandstand, posed with fans and had pictures taken with them.
Angelo dela Cruz, a former captive of Iraqi militants who was released after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo acceded to the demands of his kidnappers and ordered the pullout of Philippine troops from Iraq, was also at the grandstand just before the program started at 3 p.m.
A copy of the program obtained by the Inquirer listed Mark Bautista, Sarah Geronimo, Jeffrey Hidalgo, Giselle Sanchez, and Freddie Aguilar as among those expected to perform.
Mayors, congressmen, and other elected officials from several Metro Manila cities and municipalities and Batangas and Quezon provinces were also spotted at the grandstand.
The area fronting the grandstand was filled with large streamers, mostly bearing the names of local government executives.
Some of the largest were from Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri. Three streamers that carried Echiverri’s name said: “Pray hard, it works.”
Another streamer, this one from Las Pi?as Mayor Imelda Aguilar said, “Las Pi?as City is for the constitutional process.”
