MARCH 31, 2026 — Sen. Robin Padilla didn’t tiptoe — he dropped a political grenade. In one Facebook post, the senator branded PDP-Laban, the party of Rodrigo Duterte, as the “original dilaw” while fiercely defending former poll commissioner Rowena Guanzon’s decision to back Vice President Sara Duterte’s 2028 presidential bid.

Padilla asserted, “Pambihira talaga. Historically Tatay Digong is dilaw, PDP Laban is dilaw!” 

He reminded critics that PDP-Laban once stood with Corazon Aquino during the 1986 snap elections and the EDSA People Power Revolution. He even pointed out that Aquino herself appointed Duterte as OIC vice mayor of Davao City in 1986, before his mayoral win in 1988.

So why the fuss over Guanzon’s stance? Padilla says it’s misplaced.

“Anong isyu ninyo kay future senator Atty. Rowena Guanzon? Eh dilaw pa sa dilaw si Attorney. Nakakapagtaka ba na mag-Inday Sara siya?” he argued.

Guanzon, long ago tagged as “dilaw,” has now thrown her weight behind Sara Duterte. The move flips the script on the tired narrative of political camps being sworn enemies. It’s proof that in Philippine politics, alliances bend, recycle, and rebrand. Yesterday’s foes can easily become today’s partners.

Sara’s early declaration of her 2028 presidential run already stirred the pot. With Guanzon riding shotgun, the race is shaping up to be more than just personalities but a test of how much weight old labels still carry.

Padilla capped his post with a jab, saying, “Magsaliksik naman kasi kayo, wag puro satsat.” 

But in the grand scheme of things, do political colors truly matter? After all, haven’t we seen countless politicians flit from one color to the next like fickle butterflies? 

Have we become too busy fighting over colors and camps to notice the real issues staring us in the face?

(Image: Atty. Rowena Guanzon | Facebook)