A “tactical alliance” between former President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and former Vice President Leni Robredo may be in the offing for the next local elections in Camarines Sur, according to political analyst Ronald Llamas.
In a recent interview on “PolitiSkoop” program, Llamas gave his insights on the evolving political landscape in the Bicol region following Arroyo’s recent dinner meeting with Robredo.
After a photo of the two politikos went viral, Arroyo had confirmed that she met with Robredo and talked about “Bicol politics” during a gathering of friends.
Llamas hinted at a possible “tactical alliance” between forces aligned with Arroyo and those with Robredo in her home province against the Villafuerte clan. He also mentioned the possibility of Robredo running for a local post in her hometown.
“Partly inamin naman niya (Arroyo). Ang sabi niya, pinag-uusapan namin yung sitwasyon sa Bicol. Napag-usapan din natin na ‘yung sa direksyon ni former Vice President Leni Robredo ay tumakbo sa local. Either congressman o mayor ng Naga,” he said.
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” Llamas said, explaining that both Arroyo and Robredo have had run-ins with the Villafuerte family.
“Posible na magkaroon ng tactical alliance yung mga pwersa ni Arroyo at sina Leni Robredo at least sa Naga City, at most sa Camarines Sur laban sa mga Villafuerte,” he told program hosts Michael Fajatin and Ina Andolong.
Asked if such political alliance is sustainable, Llamas said: “Ang sinasabi naman natin, ito ang mga possibilities. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na clinched na.”
While acknowledging the potential for a political alliance between Arroyo and Robredo, Llamas also pointed out that things aren’t set in stone.
“Iniispin na nila yung kanilang political relevance at yung possibility ng political alliance pero wala pa namang alliance,” he clarified.
Arroyo, who led the country from 2009 to 2010, is a known political power broker. The former leader was removed from her post as Senior Deputy Speaker after a supposed plot to oust House Speaker Martin Romualdez, a cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., last May. She has denied involvement in the plot.
Arroyo backed the presidential tandem of Marcos and Sara Duterte during the 2022 campaign. She remains the Lakas-CMD party president emeritus.
ALSO READ:
Here’s what Gloria Arroyo, Robredo discussed in buzzworthy dinner
‘Wonderful night’: Here’s the tea behind Gloria Arroyo’s meeting with Robredo
Avengers assemble? Gloria Arroyo photographed with Rody Duterte on same week as Robredo
