MANILA — Malacañang said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remains focused on current national concerns and has not turned his attention to possible political alliances for the 2028 elections.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the statement Monday when asked about reports that the administration may support a tandem involving former vice president Leni Robredo and former senator Manny Pacquiao.

Castro said she had received no information from the Palace regarding such a political arrangement.

“Wala po kasing ibinibigay sa akin na anumang detalye patungkol sa tandem-tandem na iyon,” Castro said.

She said Marcos is currently focused on government preparations for the approaching Super El Niño and on addressing the effects of the continuing Middle East crisis.

Castro added that election politics is not the administration’s priority at present.

“So, sa ngayon po ay hindi politika o pamumulitika ang iniisip ng administrasyon. So, trabaho lang po muna tayo, huwag puro eleksyon, eleksyon, aksiyon. Aksiyon muna,” she said.

Political speculation involving Robredo and Pacquiao comes months after Marcos separately met with both former rivals.

In February, Marcos met Robredo in Naga City during discussions on flood-control measures and later crossed paths with her again at an event in Malacañang. The President also attended a ceremony honoring Pacquiao. At the time, the Palace characterized the meetings as examples of cooperation in public service despite their previous political rivalry.

Pacquiao returned to government service on September 8 after Marcos appointed him secretary and lead convenor of the National Anti-Poverty Commission.

Robredo and Pacquiao both ran for president in the 2022 elections, which Marcos won.

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