By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Amid the infighting in UniTeam between the camp of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his cousin Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on one hand and the rabid supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte on the other hand, Akbayan stalwart Ronald Llamas could hardly conceal his dismay that the opposition forces remain in disarray as he and other opposition leaders were not invited at the recent Christmas party of Liberal Party at the house of LP president and Albay Representative Edcel Lagman.
In his interview with political analyst Richard Heydarian on the latter’s vlog, Llamas — who served as Presidential Adviser for Political Affairs to then President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III — said he could see efforts to create a “big tent” of the opposition although some political personalities were conspicuously absent in the recent LP Christmas party.
“Hindi nga ako invited eh… Kaya nga inaalaska ko si Trillanes over lunch… Baka mapagbibintangan tayo na di opposition,” Llamas said.
Noticeably hobnobbing with LP leaders were Makabayan bloc leaders like lawyer Neri Colmenares and ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro who are both espousing the so-called “national democratic” line.
Llamas reportedly helped form the Akbayan party-list in 1998, espousing social democracy and democratic socialism.
Aside from Llamas and Trillanes, also not invited to the LP Christmas party were Senator Risa Hontiveros, former Senator Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV, and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno.
Political pundits told Maharlika NuMedia that Llamas will be the likely running mate of fellow Akbayan partymate Hontiveros if she runs for president in 2028.
(IAmigo/MNM)
