Former senator Manny Pacquiao and Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo. Elsa, Getty Images/AFP and Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — The Palace on Monday downplayed rumors of a 2028 admin slate led by Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo and former Senator Manny Pacquiao.
Political strategist Lito Banayo earlier revealed in a media interview that the Palace is eyeing to get Robredo and Pacquiao as standard bearers of the administration in the 2028 elections.
Marcos has recently appointed Pacquiao as an anti-poverty chief, while Robredo has often been mentioned in Palace briefings and projects.
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"Lito Banayo? As in Lito Banayo? Sarili niyang political strategy? Hindi naman siya parte ng administrasyon," Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.
Castro said she has no details about the rumors as the administration is focused on doing real work.
"Ang tutok po ng Pangulo, unang-una, kailangan tugunan ang problema sa paparating na Super El Niño. Marami pa pong dapat tugunan, pati po itong mga isyu tungkol sa krisis sa Middle East," Castro said.
The Palace official said it is still very early to be talking about the elections.
"Sa ngayon po ay hindi politika o pamumulitika ang iniisip ng administrasyon. So, trabaho lang po muna tayo, huwag puro eleksyon, eleksyon, aksiyon, aksiyon muna," Castro said.