The sudden surge of attention to a project that the City Government of Manila is proud of has become a hot topic online and in discussions on the street after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. personally led its inauguration. What further ignited the public’s question: why was PBBM in attendance, and why not Vice President Sara Duterte? Because of this, speculation, opinions, and interpretations quickly circulated, especially from supporters of the former administration and from those who have long followed the dynamics between the two leaders.

According to Manila officials, the project is part of the city’s ongoing push for modernization and more efficient services for residents. It is a major investment that Manileños have been waiting for for a long time. So it is not surprising that the President himself wanted to see and inaugurate it. However, VP Sara’s absence became the center of attention, and this is where the question began to surface as to whether there was a deeper reason behind her absence from the event.

On social media, various theories have surfaced—some say it’s just a simple conflict of schedule, others think it’s part of the growing rift between the Marcos and Duterte camps. Some are also building a narrative that the influence of prominent DDSs in Manila is gradually fading. But amidst all this, the only thing that is clear is that there has been no official confirmation from the Vice President’s side regarding the reason for his absence.

On the one hand, city advocates have pointed out that the event should not be made personal or political. For them, the inauguration is about public service, not politics. The goal is to show Manileños that the city is continuing to implement projects, and that the national government is showing its support for it. But on the other hand, the public remains sensitive to any indication of conflict at the highest levels of government, especially since issues have been floating around for months about the disagreement between the two camps.

Meanwhile, the presence of PBBM added to the gravity of the occasion. Many in attendance and those watching online said that it was clear that the President wanted to show his support for the local government of Manila, especially for the projects initiated by Mayor Honey Lacuna and her team. Such a move could also be seen as a show of unity between the national and local governments, despite the noisy politics on social media.

As for why VP Sara was unable to attend—it could be a simple schedule conflict. It could also be that it was not part of the regular activities in her office. But whatever the reason, the public has its own interpretation, and that is natural especially in this day and age where any small detail is amplified and deepened by online discourse.

As of now, there is no confirmation on whether VP Sara will have a follow-up engagement in Manila or if there will be any further statements from her camp on this issue. But it is clear that the discussion is ongoing. Some say that leaders should be given the benefit of the doubt and not immediately read the negative. Others say that such questions are inevitable because Philippine politics has a history of changing alliances, feuds, and possible clashes between big personalities.

For the residents of Manila, the project is important because they will directly feel its benefits—better services, more spacious spaces, and a more efficient flow of public services. And if there is one thing that everyone is sure to agree on, it is the hope that the country’s leaders will no longer lose in politics, especially if it affects the real needs of the people.

As the question of why VP Sara did not attend and what it means for the broader political scene continues to swirl, it is important to remember that the story is not over. Development continues in Manila, projects continue, and public scrutiny continues. Politics may cause noise, but in the end, what matters most is the outcome for the people.

In the coming days, there will surely be new issues, new interpretations, and new reactions. And as usual, the public will be the judge of what to pay attention to: the project itself, the presence of the President, the absence of the Vice President, or the larger story that is gradually developing behind these events.