Thousands of supporters of the Mayor Sara Duterte Alliance (MASADA) and Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP-Laban) have begun massive prayer rallies across the country and in the Netherlands. They held candlelight ceremonies, praying and chanting, “Duterte, Ibalik.”

Benito Ranque, MASADA lead convenor, told the DAILY TRIBUNE that Filipinos in the Netherlands traveled to Rotterdam to show their full support for the former president, who championed the plight of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) during his six-year term.

“The OFWs, mostly supporters of Duterte, lit candles, sang the Philippine national anthem, and chanted, ‘Duterte Ibalik,’” Ranque said.

He added that the prayer rallies and candlelight ceremonies across the country and in the Netherlands seek "divine intervention" to determine the fate of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was successfully arrested and flown to The Hague, Netherlands, to face trial for alleged crimes against humanity.

“No amount of indignation rallies and protests can resolve the fate of Tatay Digong. Only divine intervention can change the course of the political landscape in the country,” Ranque told the DAILY TRIBUNE hours after Duterte's plane took off from Villamor Air Base.

He also noted the silence of former U.S. President Donald Trump on the International Criminal Court (ICC) issue, stating that former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (FPRRD) is now on his own and must face his legal battle before an international tribunal.

“God bless the Philippines,” he said.

Manny Lumanao from the Caraga region also told the DAILY TRIBUNE that prayer rallies and candlelight ceremonies were held in Butuan and Bislig in Surigao del Sur to pray for Duterte’s return to the country.

Lumanao on Monday foresaw that any attempt to arrest former President Duterte would backfire and trigger a “snowball effect” that could benefit the nine PDP-Laban candidates now creeping into the so-called "Magic 12" in the senatorial lineup.

He said the public is closely watching Duterte’s possible return from Hong Kong after reports surfaced in mainstream and social media that the Philippine National Police (PNP) may arrest him upon his arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport or in Davao City.

“Any arrest will backfire on the administration candidates,” he said.

Ranque, for his part, welcomed Vice President Sara Duterte’s hint at joining the 2028 presidential race—a political move MASADA has been advocating since the 2022 elections.

Ranque reacted to the vice president’s brief appearance at a thanksgiving event in Hong Kong, where she playfully teased a possible presidential bid in 2028.