(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and former vice president and current Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo will meet in Naga City on Saturday, Malacañañg announced Thursday, a day after Vice President Sara Duterte declared she would run for president in the 2028 elections.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the visit was part of the administration’s “Oplan Kontra Baha” program, a national effort to clear canals, estuaries and rivers to mitigate flooding.
She said the president would inspect the ongoing clearing operations by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the area.
“The president directed the start of Oplan Kontra Baha in Naga City. The officials of the DPWH are busy cleaning the esteros (estuaries) in Naga City. The president will inspect that,” Castro said during a press conference.
“It is true that he will visit, and he will be with Mayor Leni Robredo of Naga City on Feb. 21, Saturday,” she added.
Asked if other matters would be discussed between the two leaders, Castro said, “That’s what you should watch out for.” Robredo, the leading figure of the political opposition, won against Marcos in the 2016 vice presidential contest, but lost to him in the 2022 presidential race.
Known for her grassroots and advocacy-driven approach, she represented a liberal, human-rights-focused alternative to the populist policies of the Duterte administration.
Castro, however, downplayed suggestions that the meeting could signal political realignments ahead of the 2028 elections.
She also brushed off speculation that the administration was “courting” Robredo.
“There is really nothing to discuss about the campaign or who will run in the 2028 presidential elections,” Castro said.
The Palace official also reiterated that politics was not the administration’s focus at this time.
“It is too early for politics. Many things need to be fixed in our country. It is too early to talk about who will run in 2028,” Castro said.
“For now, the President’s focus is work... fixing flood issues and improving the country’s economy,” she added.
In 2024, Marcos expressed elation over what seemed to be a “political reconciliation” between him and Robredo.
Robredo welcomed the president at the inauguration of the Sorsogon Sports Arena in that year.
Meanwhile, Castro dismissed comments from the Makabayan bloc that Duterte’s early presidential bid could be meant to pressure lawmakers to junk impeachment complaints against her.
However, she said members of the House of Representatives should not be cowed by a declaration of candidacy.
“Surely they are not so cowardly as to be afraid just because someone declared she will run for president,” she said.
Castro maintained that no discussions have taken place on a possible coalition to counter Duterte’s run.
“The president and this administration are not thinking about politics or looking for any candidate for 2028,” she said.
At the same time, she said, the president had no comment on the possibility that his sister, Sen. Imee Marcos, would be Duterte’s running mate in 2028.
“At this moment, there is no response. The president has not yet responded or reacted regarding that,” Castro said in Filipino.
Duterte announced her intention to run for president on Wednesday, saying she wanted to atone for her supposed “regretful” decision to be Marcos’ running mate in 2022.
Castro also said Duterte’s early declaration did not come as a surprise to the president.
The Palace press officer maintained that Duterte’s political pronouncements would not get in the way of Marcos’ decision-making, especially with regard to policies meant to improve the economy and public services.
The Palace earlier wished Duterte “good luck” in her presidential bid.