Actor Robin Padilla. INQUIRER.net file photo
MANILA, Philippines — The camp of presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. insisted Thursday that actor Robin Padilla is not part of their senatorial slate—or at least he has yet to be officially made part of the line-up.
Atty. Vic Rodriguez, Marcos’ spokesperson, made the remark following the confusion on whether or not Padilla is included in the senatorial slate of the UniTeam or the tandem of Marcos and his running mate Davao City mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio.
READ: Marcos-Duterte confusion? So is Robin Padilla in or not?
“The UniTeam only has eleven senatorial candidates. Mr. Robin Padilla belongs to another party and he has yet to be officially made part of our senatorial bets,” Rodriguez said in a statement.
“But as what BBM (Marcos) has said, he may join our event as guest and friend of the UniTeam,” he added.
During the tandem’s grand rally in Ilocos Norte on Wednesday, Duterte-Carpio categorically said they now have twelve senators in their line-up.
“Twelve na po kami ngayong araw na ito (There are now twelve of us as of today),” Duterte-Carpio said before reading the names of the 11 senators initially included in their senatorial line-up and then mentioning Padilla’s name last.
However, following the grand rally, Marcos clarified that Padilla is “not in the twelve, but is part of the group”, without clarifying what group he is referring to.
“He is considered a friend of the team and he can come and join us when he wants,” Marcos said.
READ: Sara says Robin Padilla is 12th on lineup, but Bongbong says no
During Thursday’s rally in Narvacan town in Ilocos Sur, Duterte-Carpio still included Padilla’s name in the list of senatorial candidates joining their campaign.
Padilla is a known close friend and supporter of the Duterte family, particularly President Rodrigo Duterte. Padilla is also a part of the PDP-Laban Party, which has adopted Duterte-Carpio as its vice presidential candidate, but has not endorsed any presidential candidate yet.
READ: If you support me, support Sara too – Marcos Jr. in Ilocos Norte