MANILA (UPDATED) — A political analyst said Sunday that Vice President Sara Duterte's visit towards former vice president Leni Robredo might seem more political than personal, despite what the latter has stated.

This, after speculations of Duterte and Robredo teaming up for the next national elections made rounds online after Duterte was spotted visiting Robredo in Naga City over the weekend during the festival of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia.

VP Sara Duterte visits ex-VP Leni Robredo in Naga

"Alam naman natin na kahit walang political agenda si Leni, at siya ay naging hospitable lang, hindi naman pwedeng walang political agenda si VP Sara dahil una, hindi naman sila magkaibigan. Last time sila nagkita was more than eight years ago," political analyst Ronald Llamas said in TeleRadyo Serbisyo's Story Outlook.

"Ikalawa, hindi naman nalalayo sa lahat na... grabe 'yung pag-demonize [kay VP Robredo] noong siya ay vice president ng tatay ni VP Sara at ng kaniyang mga kaalyado. So no love lost between Leni and Sara," he added.

Llamas also pointed out that in the past few months, the Dutertes' political space is narrowing, which might explain VP Sara's move.

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"Si VP Sara nga ang laki ng binawas sa kaniyang budget at binabatikos sa kaniyang paghandle sa hearings sa Kongreso at Senado. At 'yung isa sa mga pinakamalapit na kaalyado ni Leni si Sen. Risa Hontiveros ay malinaw na inaway ni VP Sara noong siya ay humarap sa budget hearing sa Senado," he said.

"So parang walang basehan para sila ay maging close. Kaya definitely ang tingin ng marami it's more political than personal," he continued.

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When asked on what could VP Sara's reason be behind the visit, Llamas said it could be a way for the Duterte's to control the narrative again.

"Tulad ng ginawa niya sa Senate of Congress hearing, binago niya 'yung narrative dahil nako-corner [siya], [she] feels besieged tapos 'yung political base niya nauubos na. 'Yung approval rating mo sa mga surveys bumababa so baguhin mo 'yung kwento," he said.

Llamas also noted that pro-Duterte vloggers have also been riding the coattails of the VP Sara's visit and that numerous speculations of vloggers were already published online.

"Ang sinasabi nila may hidwaan si Leni at Risa. Nagke-create sila ng cracks, or at least pinipilit nilang gumawa ng cracks between Leni and Risa, na wala naman talaga," he said.

However, the political analyst added that VP Sara's visit could also be seen as a "bare threat against the Marcoses."

"Para bang 'Sige awayin niyo ako, sige durugin niyo ako. Baka mayroon akong isumbong kay Leni tungkol doon sa nangyaring eleksiyon noong 2022.' Kaya maraming nagtatanonog kung bakit bumisita si VP Sara doon kasi halos isang ooras sila nag-usap. Hindi naman pwedeng chika chika lang dahil hindi naman sila close, hindi naman sila magkaibigan. So nagso-sow siya ng intrigue sa Marcos camp," he said.

Vice President Duterte visited Robredo in her house in Naga City on Friday (September 20).

According to Robredo's spokesperson, the former vice president only learned  of the meeting “minutes before” she was informed Duterte was already on her way. Robredo later said that their conversation was "personal and not political," and stressed that their home in Naga City is open to all for the Peñafrancia festival.