Kiko absent in ‘pink’ sorties

IT seems that the Leni Robredo-Kiko Pangilinan tandem is starting to crumble, as their supporters are abuzz on social media after noticing the absence of Pangilinan in the sorties in Eastern Samar, further hinting that all is not well in their camp.

Avid supporters of the tandem were puzzled at the noticeable absence of Pangilinan, who is Robredo’s official vice-presidential running mate for the upcoming May 9, 2022 elections.

Among those who expressed dismay is long-time Robredo supporter and Twitter user named @CarmelaEHon, who said, “I’m sad that Sen Kiko is not around. There can never be anyone else, but him. I hope that this is not the same for tomorrow’s rally in Maasin.”

The incident points to a growing rift between the Robredo and Pangilinan camps as desperation sets in following their consistent lackluster performance in recently published pre-election surveys.

Lately, some groups within the campaign Leni-Kiko camp were pushing to pair her with other VP bets like Sara Duterte and even Tito Sotto , thus effectively easing Kiko whom Leni described as “a very weak VP candidate” out of the equation.

Political pundits see the move of sidelining Pangilinan as a grave error on the part of Robredo and would only further hurt the chances of their tandem winning in the fast-approaching polls.

Observers also frowned at the ‘trapo’ move adopted by the Robredo camp, similar to what presidential candidate Isko Moreno did to his running-mate Doc. Willie Ong, when he ditched the latter during his campaign events in Mindanao.

The Twitter user who seemed to know about the goings-on inside the Robredo camp said that ‘powerful forces’ were responsible for the reprehensible act.

“I heard from the grapevine that someone powerful prevented him from attending. Hope it’s not true,” Twitter user @CarmelaEHon added.

“I hope it’s not true..nakakalungkot!! nararamdaman ko ngayon ang nararamdaman ko if Sen. Kiko will not get the job.. parang Presidential Election 2016 all-over again..kaya sana ipanalo na natin cla Leni-Kiko!,” another Twitter user named @I_am_a_Fil chimed in.

The political pundits pointed out that Sen. Pangilinan is just a casualty of attempts to float alternative pairings to break the tandem of presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and his running-mate Inday Sara Duterte.

Inday Sara has repeatedly rebuffed these alternative partnerships and instead urged her friends and supporters to push for the UniTeam tandem.