Sara, Bongbong together in Cebu amid reports of possible tandem for 2022

CEBU, Philippines —  Are Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and former senator Bongbong Marcos up to something for the 2022 polls?

The two were pictured together at least twice in Cebu on Saturday, October 23, 2021, but no announcement of any kind was made. Except for tidbits Duterte shared on social media, the two camps have largely remained mum on the details of their meetings, which were reportedly just coincidental.

Duterte has filed a certificate of candidacy for reelection in Davao while Marcos has filed a COC for president.

It was Duterte who confirmed first of having met Marcos in Cebu Saturday.

“Confirmed po na nagkita kami ngayon lang ni Presidential aspirant at former Senator BBM sa masayang pagdiriwang ng birthday ni Cong. Yedda (Kittilstvedt-Romualdez), maybahay ni House Majority leader Martin Romualdez sa Cebu,),” she wrote on her Facebook page.

Later in the day, Mike Acebedo Lopez, a relative of the two, shared on Facebook photos from a closed-door meeting at Duterte’s hotel room. Also present in the meeting was Marcos’ sister, Senator Imee Marcos.

Lopez said the meeting lasted for about two hours and 30 minutes but the mood was reportedly casual and light. He was not at liberty to discuss anything more, he told The Freeman.

"We were just laughing most of the time," he said.

The meetings Saturday morning took place as Duterte’s supporters and supporters of presidential aspirant, Vice President Leni Robredo, and vice presidential hopeful, Francis Pangilinan, in Cebu participated in nationwide caravans to campaign for their bets.

Duterte and Marcos arrived in Cebu on Friday, October 22, but had separate meetings.

On that day, Marcos paid a courtesy visit on Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia at the Capitol and met with supporters at an undisclosed venue.

Duterte went to see her cousin, Board Member Red Duterte, and Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas and wife, Rhea. It was her who solemnized the couple’s civil wedding in 2018.

Rama

Another photo that surfaced Saturday morning was of Duterte, hands raised, with Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama, Councilor Raymond Garcia, and other members of Rama’s political group.

Rama told The Freeman that he merely wanted Duterte to meet Garcia and his campaign team.

“I just let her meet our campaign team, kumustahan and all,” he said.

“Pag-una, kami ni Labella (Mayor Edgardo Labella) pero wala niya naisa akong kamot… pero, sige lang, karon, amiga naman mi’g balik… renewed friendship,” Rama said.

He said he already knew Duterte would be coming to Cebu to attend the inauguration of Pier 88 and the launch of the Cebu Forward app in Liloan town today, October 24.

As for Marcos, Rama said their friendship started way back in the late ‘60s. He also said that they share something in common – being alleged victims of the “PCOS machine.” He did not elaborate.

He also did not share more information about the gathering with the Romualdezes where Duterte and Marcos were also present.

Marcos, for his part, attended the BBM Shootfest in Lapu-Lapu City where he also met with Mayor Junard Chan. – JMO (FREEMAN)