By Christian V. Esguerra, Gil C. Cabacungan Jr., Nikko Dizon
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Malacañang Sunday sought to distance President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from Sen. Manuel Villar amid speculations that she was backing the Nacionalista Party’s presidential candidate instead of the administration’s own standard-bearer.
Gary Olivar, deputy presidential spokesperson, said Ms Arroyo remained a strong supporter of former Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo†Teodoro, the presidential candidate of the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD who remained at the bottom of recent surveys.
“She has every reason to know him and to support him,†Olivar said.
The Palace spokesperson advised the presidential candidates to leave Ms Arroyo out of the picture, arguing that she has her own campaign to run in the second congressional district of Pampanga.
“Please keep the Palace and the President out of the campaign,†he said.
“She is not campaigning for obviously that level and please do not run your campaign at her expense. Focus on the issues. Focus on each other. Do not drag the President into your own campaign,†he added.
The camp of former President Joseph Estrada Sunday said it was convinced that Ms Arroyo was supporting Villar.
“Definitely, I’m buying that argument,†former Sen. Ernesto Maceda, Estrada’s chief campaigner, told the Inquirer. “I know of so many people identified or close to GMA (Ms Arroyo) who are now with Villar.â€
Linkback:
https://tubagbohol.mikeligalig.com/index.php?topic=25155.0
