Alyansa debunks claim Kiko, Bam will replace Imee, Camille

Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, the campaign manager of the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas, has debunked reports that he is in talks with Liberal Party's (LP) Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan and Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV as potential replacements for Senator Imee Marcos and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, who both missed multiple campaign sorties following the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

“That’s completely untrue. I haven’t met with Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan. The Alyansa slate is solid and fully aligned with President Bongbong Marcos’ agenda,” Tiangco told reporters in a message on Wednesday.

Marcos and Villar are both eyeing a Senate seat under the administration ticket, while Pangilinan and Aquino are running as independent candidates although they are still affiliated with their political parties.

Pangilinan remains a member of the opposition LP, while Aquino, a long-time member of the same party who resigned in May last year, now chairs Katipunan ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino.

A report suggested that Tiangco met with the "Kiko-Bam" tandem late Tuesday to discuss plans of potentially replacing Marcos and Villar, citing a source privy to the alleged talks.

Senator Marcos, older sister of the President, announced Wednesday her departure from the Alyansa slate, citing her frustrations about the alleged loopholes and inconsistencies of the government in enforcing the arrest of Duterte on 11 March on the orders of the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity.

“As will be soon discussed in my preliminary findings, clearly there were actions taken by the administration that ran counter to my ideals and principles. Thus, I cannot stand on the same campaign platform as the rest of the Alyansa. As I have stated from the outset of the election period, I will continue to maintain my independence,” she said.

Tiangco averred that the pronouncement came as no surprise, but still, he wished Marcos well.

"In many public statements, Senator Imee herself said that she was uncomfortable to attend Alyansa’s campaign sorties. We respect that choice and Alyansa will continue to inform voters that our senatorial candidates are capable with proven track record and experience, and they are here to help them improve their lives by supporting the flagship projects of the administration," Tiangco stated.

There have also been speculations about Villar’s abrupt absence in rallies in Tacloban City, Leyte, Trece Martires, Cavite, and Sta. Rosa, Laguna, with some claiming it has something to do with the government's decision to turn over Duterte to the ICC, which her parents—Senator Cynthia Villar and ex-senator Manny Villar — strongly criticized.

The Villars are prominent allies of the former president, with Senator Mark Villar serving as Duterte’s chief of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Rep. Villar has yet to release an official statement about her absence in recent rallies, although Tiangco said she was present in an Alyansa meeting late Tuesday.