Leni: Everybody’s welcome in Naga

Peñafrancia festival is ‘politically neutral’

MANILA, Philippines — A day after being visited by Vice President Sara Duterte, former vice president Leni Robredo also welcomed Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos and Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. in her house in Naga City yesterday.

The two, like Duterte, were in Naga for the celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Peñafrancia. Revilla is running for reelection next year, while Abalos is reportedly considering a Senate bid.

Abalos said he went to Naga City for the Peñafrancia festival but thought it would be fine to pay a courtesy call on Robredo. He added he and his family are devotees of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

Revilla has not issued a statement on his visit to the former vice president and opposition presidential candidate in 2022.

Robredo, in an interview with reporters, said everyone is welcome to visit Naga City, especially during the annual festival.

“During Peñafrancia, we do not look at political colors. There’s no party affiliation, everything here is politically neutral. Everyone who comes for the Lady is welcome here,” Robredo said in Filipino.

“Since my husband became mayor in 1988, everyone who visits Naga for the Lady is very much welcome,” she added.

Robredo’s husband, the late Jesse Robredo, was the long-time mayor of Naga City.

The former vice president will run for city mayor in next year’s elections.

In an earlier statement, Robredo said the conversation she had with Duterte “was personal and not political.”

Robredo’s spokesman Barry Gutierrez maintained that Duterte’s visit was unexpected.

“She went straight to Robredo’s house unexpectedly. She received her graciously. They talked – not about politics. It was a conversation, not a meeting. And then she left. That’s it,” Gutierrez wrote in Filipino on X.

“I don’t like Sara Duterte’s politics, but it was only right that VP Leni received her with respect. We are not rude people,” he added.

Gutierrez appeared to be addressing former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, who criticized Robredo for meeting with Duterte.

“If she really did not want it, the meeting would not have happened… Are you siding with her?” said Trillanes, who claimed that Robredo was informed ahead of Duterte’s visit.

“So, was this also planned?” Gutierrez said on X, referring to Robredo’s meeting with Abalos and Revilla. “There are many people who want to meet with VP Leni … She is simply kind, polite and hospitable to her guests.” — Romina Cabrera