Meeting with Robredo a ‘social dinner’ – Gloria Arroyo

RARE MEETING Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former Vice President Leni Robredo flank Alita Mercado, who posted the photo on her Facebook page. (Photo from the Facebook account of Alita Mercado)

MANILA, Philippines — Deputy House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a former president, explained that the viral photo showing her with former Vice President Leni Robredo was a night chat about Bicol politics.

In a brief statement on Saturday night, Arroyo confirmed that she had a “social dinner” with Robredo, who lost to Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in the 2022 presidential elections.

Arroyo had backed Marcos in his bid, as well as that of his running mate, then-Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

“I recently had a social dinner with former Vice President Leni Robredo and mutual friends from Bicol,” Arroyo said. “We chatted about Bicol politics.”

The photo was posted by Alita Mercado, mother of San Pablo, Laguna Mayor Art Mercado, on her Facebook page, saying she had a “wonderful night” with the politicians.

Arroyo, for her part, did not provide any further details about the dinner with Robredo. The photo of their rare meeting, which circulated across social media platforms, surprised many netizens.

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