A political analyst suggested on Sunday that Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent visit to former Vice President Leni Robredo in Naga City may have had political motives, despite Robredo’s assertion that it was purely personal.
The visit, which took place during the Peñafrancia Festival, sparked online speculation about a possible Duterte-Robredo alliance in the next national elections. Political analyst Ronald Llamas, however, believes the meeting was more strategic.
“Alam natin na kahit walang political agenda si Leni, si VP Sara hindi naman pwedeng walang political motive dahil hindi naman sila magkaibigan. Last time sila nagkita was more than eight years ago,” Llamas said during an interview on TeleRadyo Serbisyo.
Llamas added that Duterte’s visit could be seen as a move to regain control of her political narrative, as her political space is shrinking. He cited Duterte’s budget cuts and recent criticisms during congressional hearings as factors.
“Definitely ang tingin ng marami, it’s more political than personal,” Llamas said, noting that Duterte’s visit has also stirred speculations among pro-Duterte vloggers, suggesting cracks between Robredo and Senator Risa Hontiveros, an ally of Robredo.
Robredo’s spokesperson clarified that the meeting was impromptu, with Robredo only informed of the visit minutes before Duterte arrived. Robredo later emphasized that their conversation was “personal and not political,” and that her home is open to everyone for the Peñafrancia festival.