Kathryn’s pickleball video fuels questions over Mark Alcala’s alleged bodyguards courtside

Another account, Odessa Viktoria, shared the footage and wrote, “Grabe no? Two of Mayor Mark’s personal bodyguards ang nagbabantay kay Kathryn habang naglalaro ng pickleball. Mahal na mahal and sobrang iniingatan.”

However, online users also disputed the location. A user named Lion Heart claimed the video was actually taken at Pro Deck Pickleball in Antipolo, pointing to a September 13 post from the venue featuring Kathryn.

The video alone does not establish that the men were government employees, that they were paid by the city, or that they were performing official duties.

Still, the footage revived criticism of Alcala’s priorities as mayor.

“Mas madami pang time si Mayor makipag-pickleball date kay Kathryn kaysa magpakita sa Lucena para sa trabaho niya,” online user Sab wrote. “Trabaho ng mayor dapat inuuna.”

Alcala’s role as Lucena’s mayor has also become part of the online debate surrounding his rumored relationship with Kathryn. In April, a Lucena resident publicly called for better street lighting while Alcala was abroad with the actress.

Alcala’s political background has likewise drawn attention. He is the son of former Lucena mayor and incumbent vice mayor Roderick “Dondon” Alcala.

Meanwhile, claims that Alcala used taxpayer-funded security for Kathryn remain allegations from online users, not established findings.

Under PNP rules, protective security for local chief executives such as city and municipal mayors requires approval from the Chief, PNP, upon recommendation from the appropriate regional police director. The rules also state that protective security personnel must be confined to protective functions and cannot be used for utility tasks or similar duties.

Thus, the presence of men described as security personnel beside an official during a private activity does not, by itself, establish misuse of public resources. Relevant questions would include whether they were government personnel, whether their deployment was officially authorized, and whether they were performing legitimate protective-security duties.

For many commenters, however, the issue has become less about Kathryn and Alcala’s rumored relationship and more about whether the mayor’s private activities are being mixed with his public responsibilities.

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