Vice President Leni Robredo is leaving the decision to her campaign team whether or not reelectionist Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri will be dropped from the Team Robredo-Pangilinan (TRoPA).
Robredo, the lone female presidential bet in next month’s polls, said they have yet to discuss the possible removal of Zubiri from her slate after the latter openly endorsed a rival candidate.
The senator and his father Gov. Jose Ma. Zubiri raised the hand of Robredo’s opponent former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his campaign sortie in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
During the March 31 UniTeam-Bukidnon Paglaum Party rally, the younger Zubiri called Marcos “our President.”
Senator Zubiri was a guest candidate in the ticket of Robredo and running mate Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.
“Actually, hindi pa namin 'yun napapag-usapan, kasi everyday nasa campaign trail ako. Iniiwan ko siya sa campaign team sa campaign headquarters para pagdesisyunan 'yung mga bagay na 'yan (we haven’t discussed it yet, because everyday I’m in the campaign trail. I’m leaving the matter to the campaign team in the campaign headquarters to decide on those things),” she said.
She said her campaign team will come up with a decision soon about Zubiri’s status in the Leni-Kiko slate.
“Kukunsultahin naman nila ako (They will consult me) eventually, pero (but) I think hindi pa siya nauupuan (they haven’t sit down yet for a meeting) considering na grabe 'yung schedules ngayon. Pero (the hectic schedules now but) eventually, pagdedesisyunan 'yun (that will be decided),” Robredo said.
The Vice President is veering away from her previous statement of not replacing Zubiri from her 12-man senatorial slate because he is also part of Marcos Jr.’s Uniteam ticket.
She earlier shot down claims of Makabayan Party senatorial bet Neri Colmenares taking Zubiri’s slot.
READ: Robredo shoots down talks about Colmenares replacing Zubiri in Senate slate
Zubiri is one of the adopted senatorial candidates in the Robredo-Pangilinan slate, along with former Vice President Jejomar Binay, Sorsogon Gov. Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero, reelectionist Senators Joel Villanueva and Richard Gordon.
The Leni-Kiko ticket also includes former Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr., incumbent Senators Leila de Lima and Risa Hontiveros, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel ‘Chel’ Diokno, labor leader Sonny Matula, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, and book author Alex Lacson.
Opposition coalition 1Sambayan, which backs Robredo’s presidential bid and seven Senate bets, has endorsed the senatorial run of actor and athlete Monsour del Rosario, who could also be under Team Leni-Kiko’s radar as a possible replacement of Zubiri.