Political analyst Lito Banayo claimed that a source from inside the Malacañang told him that former Vice President and now Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo and boxer-turned-politician Manny Pacquiao are being groomed as a tandem for the 2028 presidential elections.
Banayo made the disclosure in an interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel’s At The Forefront with Atty. Karen Jimeno.
“A source from inside the Palace told me it’s going to be a Leni-Pacman team,” Banayo said.
He linked Pacquiao’s appointment as lead convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), with the rank of Cabinet secretary, to the alleged plan.
“That’s why Pacquiao was appointed National Anti-Poverty Commission chairman,” Banayo said.
He claimed that the appointment was made without even informing the previous occupant of the post.
Banayo’s claim came as a recent presidential preference survey showed Vice President Sara Duterte and Sen. Robin Padilla leading a potential 2028 tandem over Robredo and Sen. Bam Aquino.
The survey results cited during the interview showed Duterte and Padilla at 48 percent, compared with 36 percent for Robredo and Aquino.
Banayo said Duterte’s continued strong numbers could be attributed to her being the “carrier of the Duterte brand,” her support in Mindanao and Central Visayas, and the perception among some voters that she is being persecuted.
He noted, however, that the 16-percentage-point gap could still change because of undecided voters.
“Forty-eight percent versus 36 percent, you have a 16 percent undecided. Yun yung deciding factor,” Banayo said.
He also said efforts to politically damage Duterte would likely continue, which he claimed was intended partly to weaken her support and influence the impeachment process.
On whether Duterte should resign amid the impeachment proceedings and the Senate’s revised conviction threshold, Banayo said resignation remained an option but warned that criminal charges could still be pursued against her.
Banayo did not identify the Malacañang source who allegedly told him about the purported Robredo-Pacquiao tandem.#