CONCEPCION, Tarlac (Dec. 6, 2025) – An estimated crowd of 4,000 supporters, clad in unifying white shirts, filled the Plazuela here last night for a massive prayer rally to express solidarity with embattled Tarlac Third District Representative Noel “Bong” Rivera.
Chants of “We love you, Cong!” echoed throughout the event, underscoring the deep personal connection many in the district feel toward the congressman, who is more commonly and affectionately known as “Kap Bong.” This nickname stems from his longtime roots in Barangay San Vicente, Concepcion, where he first built his reputation as a soft-spoken public servant.
Supporters traveled from across the district—the municipalities of Bamban, La Paz, Capas, and Concepcion—to attend the rally, transforming the venue into a sea of white as a symbol of their unwavering support.
Facing recent political challenges, Cong. Bong received strong backing from local leaders. Concepcion Mayor Noel Villanueva took the stage to deliver a speech firmly supporting the congressman, highlighting his (Rivera) service and character. In a show of cross-municipal solidarity, Bamban Mayor Jose Salting Jr. also attended the Concepcion rally.
The event in Concepcion was not an isolated gathering. A separate prayer rally was simultaneously held in La Paz, indicating a coordinated district-wide movement of grassroots support for Rivera.
Organizers emphasized the rally’s purpose was spiritual and moral in nature, focusing on prayers for strength and guidance for their representative amid ongoing political tensions. For the thousands present, the message was clear: “Kap Bong” remains a beloved figure, and his home district stands firmly behind him.
Rivera is currently embroiled in an alleged conflict of interest in his construction business.
The second-term lawmaker also, earlier in the day, was served with two search warrants for illegal possession of firearms. The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, backed by about 100 heavily armed Special Action Force troops, raided several houses of the Riveras. The search did not find any illegal firearms.
“Sa ganitong mga problema, isa lang ang kasagutan—ang taimtim at malalim na pagdarasal sa Diyos,” Villanueva intimated, summing up the essence of the prayer rally. With reports from Wilson Sampang
