Abalos, Revilla visit Robredo in Naga City amid Peñafrancia Festival

Following her meeting with Vice President Sara Duterte, former Vice President Leni Robredo was also visited by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos and Senator Bong Revilla on Saturday as Naga City celebrated the Peñafrancia Festival.

Robredo was visited by Abalos and Revilla in her residence, GMA Integrated News' Oscar Oida reported.

Robredo however said the visits were "politically neutral."

"'Pag Peñafrancia dito sa amin, wala naman kulay ng pulitikang tinitingnan. Walang partido, politically neutral dito lahat. Lahat ng pumupunta para kay Ina ay welcome dito sa amin. Mula nu'ng naging mayor ang asawa ko noong 1988, ganito na. Every time na may bisita ang Naga na si Ina ang sadya, very much welcome dito sa amin," she said.

(At the celebration of the Peñafrancia here in Naga City, there are no political colors. There is no party, everyone is politically neutral. Everyone who visits for 'Ina' is welcome here with us. Ever since my husband became mayor in 1988, it had always been like this. Every time a guest goes to Naga with the intent of visiting 'Ina,' he or she is very much welcome here.)

GMA News Online has reached out to Abalos regarding their visit.

Meanwhile in a statement, Revilla said his visit was part of his personal devotion to Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

"Hindi po kailanman mapuputol ang ating personal na pagdalaw at pagbibigay-pugay sa Dakilang Inang Birhen bilang bahagi ng aking panata — isang tradisyon ng walang hanggang pananampalataya at pasasalamat sa bawat biyaya at gabay Niya sa akin, aking pamilya, at mamamayang Pilipino," Revilla said.

(My personal visit and homage to the Blessed Virgin Mother will never cease as part of my vow — a tradition of constant faith and gratitude for every grace and guidance she has given me, my family, and the Filipino people.)

Robredo was visited by Duterte on Friday, the former vice president's spokesperson Barry Gutierrez disclosed.

"Former VP Leni Robredo was in Naga for the Peñafrancia Festival. While she was there, VP Sara Duterte visited her at her house," Gutierrez said.

According to Gutierrez, the conversation during Duterte's visit was "personal and not political."

Meanwhile, former senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, chairman of the Liberal Party, on Saturday called on the public not to make an issue out of Duterte's visit to Robredo.

Pangilinan, the vice presidential runningmate of Robredo in Eleksyon 2022, said the meeting was not tainted by politics.

"Sa Peñafrancia from all walks of life sa Naga ang punta since 1988, nung unang nag Mayor si Jesse welcome ang lahat sa bahay nila Leni. Agenda ni Ma'am Leni dito hindi pulitika kundi i-welcome ang mga sumama sa pilgrimage, regardless."

(People from all walks of life come to Naga for the Peñafrancia. Since 1988, when Ma'am Leni's husband, the late Mayor Jesse Robredo, first assumed office, everyone has been welcome in their home. Ma'am Leni's agenda was not political, but served only to welcome those who joined the pilgrimage, regardless.)

"Huwag na sana natin palakihin pa (Hopefully this won't be turned into something bigger)," Pangilinan said.

In a statement, the Office of the Vice President said Duterte was invited by a Bicolano friend to attend the centennial anniversary Mass of the Canonical Coronation of Our Lady of Peñafrancia on Friday. —Jamil Santos/KG, GMA Integrated News