Lucena City Mayor Mark Alcala is facing scrutiny from netizens after rumors emerged that he is allegedly using Kathryn Bernardo’s popularity to bolster his political standing ahead of the elections.
The speculation intensified after showbiz insider Ogie Diaz claimed in his ‘Showbiz Update’ vlog that Kathryn and Alcala are in a relationship—a claim that remains unverified.
During his recent vlog episode, Ogie revealed that a reliable source told him that Kathryn and Mark became a couple sometime between November and December 2023.
“Ang sabi sa akin ng aking source, it’s either November or December [naging sila]. E, noong November 13 ipinalabas ‘yong Hello, Love, Again,” he said, referring to Kathryn’s recent blockbuster film with Alden Richards.
He clarified, however, that there is no official confirmation from either Kathryn or Mark regarding their relationship.
Following the revelation, supporters of KathNiel (Kathryn & Daniel Padilla) and KathDen (Kathryn & Alden Richards) expressed doubts, with many questioning the timing of the alleged romance.
Several netizens speculated that Alcala might be leveraging Kathryn’s massive influence to his advantage, considering her popularity and millions of followers.
Despite the public’s skepticism, Ogie dismissed the idea that Alcala is using Kathryn for political mileage, emphasizing that the mayor is already in a strong position for re-election.
“Feeling ko, hindi. Parang wala namang kalaban si Mayor. […] Or unopposed ‘ata, e,” Ogie noted.
He also pointed out that Alcala has a high approval rating in surveys, making it unnecessary for him to rely on a celebrity relationship for votes.
As the rumors continue to swirl, Kathryn Bernardo and Mayor Mark Alcala have yet to issue an official statement addressing their alleged relationship.
